Lang'ata Member of Parliament, Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o, has responded to a plea by influencer Murugi Munyi to address the dire state of Lang'ata Cemetery.
In a series of Instagram exchanges shared by Murugi, Jalang'o acknowledged the concern and disclosed that he was already working on it hinting at a forthcoming petition he plans to table in parliament.
"Already working on something," she wrote.
The conversation brought to light the growing challenges faced by Lang'ata Cemetery, the largest burial ground in Kenya's capital city.
The cemetery, in operation since 1958, has been grappling with overcrowding and inadequate maintenance, raising concerns about the dignity of the final resting place for many.
Jalang'o's commitment was evident in the pointers he shared, seemingly outlining the key issues to be addressed in the petition.
One striking aspect is the volume of bodies interred in the cemetery, far exceeding its intended capacity. The situation has led to families, particularly those with limited means, facing difficulties in providing proper burials as there is often insufficient space to bury loved ones to the requisite depth of six feet.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted a past scandal involving the city council's alleged overvaluation of land purchased for an alternate cemetery location.
The purchased land, which raised suspicions of irregularities, was deemed unsuitable due to its rocky terrain, and no alternative location was secured. Despite the controversy, the Lang'ata cemetery continues to receive new burials, exacerbating the problem.
Murugi calls on Jalang'o, Sakaja
In her initial plea, Murugi directed the attention of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Jalang'o to the inadequate conditions at Lang'ata cemetery.
While acknowledging the cemetery's cleanliness, Murugi highlighted concerns about overgrown bushes, a dusty and uneven road, and a lack of proper demarcation.
She stressed the need for urgent action to enhance the cemetery's appearance and functionality.
"@jalang'o & @jsakaja Something should be done about the state of Lang'ata Cemetery. I commend that it's quite clean but the overgrown bushes, the dusty and bumpy road.. lack of proper demarcation.. it's indignifying," Murugi's message read in part.
"It is the largest cemetery in Kenya where most bury their dead in the city. And yet it seems so poorly taken care of and maintained. Tufanye kitu please. Tarmac the roads, plant some good trees and flowers, place benches around," she added.
Sakaja revamps Lang'ata cemetery
In a past statement by Sakaja, the governor had revealed that he deployed the environment team to clean the cemetery to ensure the dead had a beautiful resting place.
"I issued a directive to the environment team to clear and make the cemetery tidy. We must ensure that we provide dignity to all including the departed," he said.
"The environment sector then mobilized its workforce to assist the public health sector in undertaking the stated assignment (clearing overgrown grasses, bushes, slashing, litter picking, etc)," he added.
