County seeks land for new cemeteries

By KARANJA NJOROGE

Nakuru: The Nakuru County Government has moved to address a crisis occasioned by the filled up public cemeteries.

The county is now seeking land in Nakuru, Naivasha, Molo and Njoro towns to be used as public cemeteries.

In an advertisement in the daily newspapers, County Secretary Joseph Motari said the county wants at least 50 acres of land for Nakuru and 30 acres for Naivasha, Molo and Njoro towns.

“The site should be preferably within 10 kilometres from Nakuru and five kilometres from Molo, Naivasha and Njoro central business districts,” the county secretary said.

Lack of burial space in Nakuru and Naivasha towns reached a crisis point two years ago when the public cemeteries filled up.

Residents have praised the county government for prioritising the acquisition of land for cemeteries in order to end burial crises in the towns.

“We are happy that the county government has listened to our plea and is looking for land as we have been suffering,” said Grace Wambui.

The county government, in its inaugural budget last year, set aside Sh84 million for the acquisition of land for cemeteries.

In a desperate attempt to discourage residents from using the Nakuru North Cemetery, the defunct Municipal Council of Nakuru had increased burial charges from Sh5,000 to Sh20,000 per burial site.

“Some of us have been forced to transport the dead to our ancestral homes due to the exorbitant charges and lack of space,” said Silas Bosire from Njoro.

Alternative site

The cemetery problem in Nakuru town worsened after a portion of the alternative public burial site – South Cemetery – was allocated to private developers who constructed residential houses.

The North Cemetery, which is adjacent to the Nakuru Provincial General Hospital, still remains the preferred resting place for a majority of residents.

Since assuming office, the county government has been under pressure to find alternative land for public cemeteries.

The county government is also seeking another 50 acres of land on the outskirts of Nakuru town to relocate Gioto dumpsite, which has become an eyesore.