Filled cemetery poses health risk to residents

Narok, Kenya: Plans are at an advanced stage to purchase land for a new cemetery after the 50-year-old one, located in Narok Town filled up, a county official has said.

Urban Development and Physical Planning Chief Officer Justus Rutto said the county has placed an open tender to acquire 60 acres for the cemetery.

The old cemetery located in Masikonde on a five-acre piece of land is full, forcing people to bury their kin in shallow graves to avoid interfering with older ones.

Narok town has a population of over 40,000 residents according to 2009 population census.

“The cemetery is the oldest and was allocated when the town’s population was still minimal. We need the land as soon as possible since we are now faced with health challenges,” said Mr Rutto.

He said the county government allocated Sh200 million in the 2014/2015 financial year to buy cemetery land and for the construction of a sewer system in the town.

“It has not been easy for the county to obtain suitable land for the two critical sectors. Such parcels must meet requirements as per the county land acquisition criteria,” said the chief officer.

OTHER CHALLENGES

The ideal land for the cemetery, he said, should be at least 10km from town, has loose soil and that with clear land ownership. There should not be any ownership conflicts and probably one with a title deed.

Governor Samuel Tunai recently announced that plot owners in Narok town and group ranches will be issued with title deeds.

“For many years, the issue of title deeds has been an hindrance to the growth and development of the town that hosts many tourists. Land owners could also not develop their plots due to myriad challenges,” said Governor Tunai.

The town has no designated dump-sites, which makes it an eyesore to visitors, and tourists who have to pass through it on their way to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve.