Most Kenyans opposed to cemeteries to release land for agriculture

NAIROBI, KENYA: A new study shows majority of Kenyans are strongly opposed to key proposals that may help free up more land for agricultural production; like living in storeyed houses or burying their dead in public cemeteries.

The study released Thursday in Nairobi revealed that majority of Kenyans sampled in 26 counties are not ready to bury their family members in public cemeteries despite the strong pressure on agricultural land due to high population.

According to the research, a staggering 78 per cent of respondents opposed the proposal that the Government should prohibit families from burying the dead in their homesteads and set aside land for public cemeteries. Only 22 per cent of people sampled agreed with the proposal.

The proposal received least support in particular regions. Only 7 per cent of people in Migori, 9 per cent in Kitui and 9.5 per cent in Busia agreed with the idea to bury the dead in cemeteries.

The counties that supported the proposal were Turkana (45 per cent), Baringo (44 per cent) and Laikipia (36 per cent).

Similarly, the study asked whether county governments should ask families to live in storeyed houses or clustered settlements to free land for agricultural production.

However, the majority of people (66 per cent) opposed the proposal while only a minority (34 per cent) agreed. The counties that agreed most with the idea were Kericho (57 per cent), Kiambu (55 per cent) and Kisii (52 per cent), which have high population densities.

Those that were strongly opposed were Migori (11 per cent), Isiolo (16 per cent) and West Pokot (18 per cent), with the last two having relatively sparse populations.

"This study shows that more awareness needs to be developed among Kenyans so that rich agricultural lands can be protected from further subdivision and freed up for food production and other agricultural activities. There is need for a paradigm shift regarding land," said lead researcher and University of Nairobi lecturer Elias Mokua.

Dr Mokua said subdivision of land among family members or change of agricultural land into real estate is a threat to food security.

According to the research, people with higher levels of education tended to be more receptive of the idea of living in storeyed buildings. Of those who agreed, 37 per cent had tertiary education, 35 per cent university, 35 per cent secondary and 30 per cent had primary education. Men tended to agree more (57 per cent) with the idea than women (43 per cent).