The Lang'ata cemetery faces fresh controversy as health officials clash with Nairobi county leaders over its future. Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni urged City Hall to shut down the facility due to health risks from overcrowding. County officials quickly rejected her intervention, stating cemetery matters fall under devolved functions. About 30 burials happen weekly at the site, which has been declared full since the early 2000s. Bodies are currently stacked in shallow graves as space runs out.
This adds to a history of problems at the 150-acre graveyard. In 2020, a developer illegally dug through graves to dispose of raw sewage from a nearby estate. Previous attempts to find alternative burial grounds have failed repeatedly. A 2009 scandal saw the city pay Sh283 million for land valued at just Sh24 million, resulting in jail time for several officials. The county also tried unsuccessfully to acquire forest land or purchase property in neighboring counties.
Other public burial options exist across Nairobi, including South Cemetery near Nyayo Stadium and several others. Despite their insistence on control, county leaders may need to address the health concerns raised by national officials. Past efforts to expand into the Kenya Forest Service land stalled over requirements to replace felled trees. Finding a long-term solution remains urgent as public health risks grow.
This adds to a history of problems at the 150-acre graveyard. In 2020, a developer illegally dug through graves to dispose of raw sewage from a nearby estate. Previous attempts to find alternative burial grounds have failed repeatedly. A 2009 scandal saw the city pay Sh283 million for land valued at just Sh24 million, resulting in jail time for several officials. The county also tried unsuccessfully to acquire forest land or purchase property in neighboring counties.
Other public burial options exist across Nairobi, including South Cemetery near Nyayo Stadium and several others. Despite their insistence on control, county leaders may need to address the health concerns raised by national officials. Past efforts to expand into the Kenya Forest Service land stalled over requirements to replace felled trees. Finding a long-term solution remains urgent as public health risks grow.
