Cabinet holds key to mystery on Kenyatta’s remains, says PS

By David Ochami

The fate of President Jomo Kenyatta’s remains at Parliament Buildings will be determined.

The Cabinet is set to approve a policy paper prepared by the Culture and National Heritage Ministry.

Kenyatta’s remains have been buried in a crypt inside Parliament since his death on August 22, 1978.

The nature and cost of his interment and the corpse itself, is one of Kenya’s best kept secrets.

The crypt is heavily guarded by military officers and is only open to the media when visiting Heads of State or Kenyatta’s family visit to lay wreaths.

It is not known if the founding president’s corpse is still intact, as reportedly embalmed and preserved, 31 years ago.

Jomo Kenyatta’s mausolem at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi. [PHOTO: DAVID NYAMU/STANDARD]

Heritage PS Jacob ole Miaron told Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), yesterday the mystery will be unearthed.

Mr Miaron says the ministry wants the mausoleum bearing Kenyatta’s corpse opened to the public.

Apparently, the policy document involves an input from Kenyatta’s family, who want the mausoleum de-linked from the National Assembly.

"We have prepared a policy document, but it is yet to get Cabinet approval," he told the PAC.

Rest in peace

He said the paper proposes public access to the crypt, while addressing sensibilities of the Kenyatta family, who wish his remains are not disturbed.

Reports also indicate the ministry wishes to relax military hold on the mausoleum.

The PS disclosed the ministry plans a library and museum near the crypt, which will hold Kenyatta’s artifacts, speeches and history.

Meanwhile, the PS disclosed they have set aside Sh20 million for a burial ground for Kenyan heroes and heroines. The so-called Heroes Corner is at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.

And the PS admitted ministry officials received excessive allowances for the unveiling of Dedan Kimathi’s statute a few years ago.

Kimathi, who spearheaded the Mau Mau movement, was killed by the British in the mid 1950s, but his remains have not been recovered.

Miaron said the officials received Sh197,968 in inflated allowances.

 

 

Read all about: Parliament cabinet Public Accounts Committee mausoleum Dedan Kimathi Mau Mau

 

 

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