Today in Africa — Mar 25, 2026: 32 Bodies Found in Kenyan Mass Grave, Ghana Pushes UN Vote on Slavery Reparations

Every day, OkayAfrica shares a roundup of news we’re following but haven’t published as full articles. These short updates cover what’s happening on the continent — in culture, politics, and beyond. For more on stories like these, be sure to check out our News page, with stories from across the regions.

Mass Grave in Kenya Yields 32 Bodies, Including 25 Children

Authorities in western Kenya have exhumed 32 bodies, most of them children, from a mass grave in Kericho after a court order initially sought to retrieve 14 remains. Government pathologist Richard Njoroge says the discovery was “quite unusual,” with bodies found stacked in gunny bags, including seven adults and 25 children — many of them infants and fetuses — along with dismembered parts. Investigators believe some remains may have come from hospitals or mortuaries, though autopsies are set to confirm this. The bodies appeared to have been buried at different times, as evidenced by varying levels of decomposition.

The investigation began after a whistleblower tip, with police now probing how the bodies were buried on land owned by the National Council of Churches of Kenya, which says it had no knowledge of the burial. Authorities previously identified 13 unclaimed bodies that had been officially released from a hospital and transported to the site, but questions remain about the additional remains. Two suspects, including a public health officer and a cemetery caretaker, have been arrested, while rights groups are calling for a full investigation and swift identification of victims.

Ghana Pushes UN Resolution to Recognize Slave Trade as “Gravest Crime” and Seek Reparations

Ghana is leading a push at the United Nations General Assembly to have the transatlantic slave trade formally recognized as the “gravest crime against humanity,” with a resolution urging countries to consider apologies and reparations. Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa described slavery as the “most horrendous crime” in human history, saying the effort is about justice for victims, not financial gain for leaders. The proposal also calls for the return of looted cultural artifacts and support for education, skills training, and development funds tied to the lasting impact of slavery. Between 1500 and 1800, an estimated 12–15 million Africans were taken to the Americas, with over two million dying during the journey.

The resolution is backed by the African Union, Caribbean nations, and countries like Brazil, but is expected to face opposition from Western governments, including the U.S. and the European Union, which have already signaled they will not support it. Critics argue current institutions should not be held responsible for historical crimes, while supporters say the legacy of slavery still shapes inequality, racism, and economic exclusion today. Ghana, once a major hub in the slave trade, has long pushed for reparations, with coastal forts still standing as reminders of the past.

Ghanaian President John Mahama called the resolution “historic” and warned against what he sees as a growing global trend of erasing Black history. Speaking in New York, he criticized recent U.S. policies targeting cultural and historical institutions, saying they risk normalizing the removal of slavery and racism from public memory. A White House spokesperson rejected the criticism, saying President Donald Trump has strong support from Black Americans and is focused on delivering results.

12 Senior South African Police Officers Arrested in Corruption Probe

South Africa’s anti-corruption investigators have arrested 12 senior police officers on allegations of fraud and corruption linked to a contract for health and well-being services, with prosecutors saying a 13th suspect, a company director, was also detained. The officers appeared in court in Pretoria, where prosecutors said some were part of the bid committee that approved the contract and should have disqualified the company. The deal was awarded to Medicare24, owned by Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is suspected of links to organized crime and is already in custody on separate attempted murder charges.

The arrests come as multiple investigations continue into alleged high-level corruption within the police. President Cyril Ramaphosa previously ordered an inquiry and suspended the police minister, while a separate parliamentary probe is examining claims that senior officers had ties to crime bosses and received payments in exchange for favors. Prosecutors said they would not oppose bail for the officers, who have submitted affidavits as the case proceeds.

Kenya Flood Death Toll Rises to 88 as Rivers Overflow and Displace Thousands

Flooding across Kenya has killed at least 88 people this month and displaced more than 34,000, with at least 21 counties affected as heavy rains continue. The Nyando and Tana rivers have burst their banks, flooding farms, disrupting transport, and forcing evacuations in western Kenya, including more than 200 people and livestock, while over 900 students are being moved from a school threatened by rising waters. Authorities say roads have been cut off, schools closed, and businesses disrupted, especially in low-lying areas, with displaced families sheltering in public buildings and six unaccompanied children among those rescued. Emergency teams are still responding as officials warn the situation could worsen if the rains persist.

Ghana Signs Defense Pact With EU as Regional Militancy Threat Grows

Ghana has signed a defense agreement with the European Union to strengthen cooperation on counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and border security as militant activity spreads across West Africa. The deal, signed in Accra by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, makes Ghana the first African country to enter such an agreement with the EU. As part of the partnership, the EU delivered military support, including drones, anti-drone systems, bomb disposal vehicles, and motorcycles, with officials saying the move aims to help Ghana tackle emerging security threats at both national and regional levels. While Ghana has largely avoided attacks, neighboring countries including Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali have seen escalating violence from groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, with attacks also reported in Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Togo. Aid groups say around two million people have been displaced in Burkina Faso alone, and reports indicate militants sometimes cross into Ghana to regroup or move supplies, raising concerns about spillover risks.

Kenya Finalizes Trade Deal With China to Boost Duty-Free Exports

Kenya has finalized a bilateral trade agreement with China that will give about 98% of its exports duty-free access to the Chinese market, President William Ruto says, as the country looks to narrow a trade imbalance heavily tilted in China’s favor. The deal builds on a preliminary agreement announced in January and comes as Nairobi deepens economic ties with Beijing, following Ruto’s state visit last year and multiple cooperation deals. At the same time, Kenya is negotiating a separate trade agreement with the United States, and Ruto defends his outreach to China as necessary to expand exports. He said the economy has remained stable, with controlled inflation, a steady currency, and foreign direct investment surpassing $2 billion in 2025, up more than 15% year-on-year.