Church plays down row on gravesite

By BONIFACE GIKANDI

Murang’a, Kenya: The controversy over blocking access to a historic gravesite in Murang’a continued with Anglican Church alleging it was putting up the perimeter wall to ensure security of its premises and other properties.

On Wednesday, Mt Kenya Central (ACK) Diocese elder James Kagoni said the gravesite where the colonial administrators are buried had remained registered, with the church entrusted as a custodian.

Kagoni, who is a member of Murang’a County Assembly, accused retired Catholic Priest Joakim Gitonga of misleading the public that the Anglican Church had the intention of grabbing the land.

Speaking to The Standard, Kagoni warned Gitonga, who chairs Murang’a chapter of Kikuyu Council of Elders, to stop spreading falsehoods.

The MCA disclosed that some parcels of land near the historic Murang’a Sports Club were grabbed due to lack of an effective custodian.

“We have some individuals who have shown interest in grabbing the gravesite where the remains of first Murang’a District Commissioner Francis Hall lies,” said Kagoni.

Last week, Gitonga asked Murang’a County Government to intervene and block the Anglican Church from erecting the perimeter wall that could hinder access to the gravesite.

Murang’a Anglican Bishop Isaac Ng’ang’a said the church obtained authority from the Government before embarking on construction of the perimeter wall.