Fear of the dead derails bid to buy land for cemetery in Nakuru

Traditional beliefs and taboos among Nakuru residents have derailed attempts to acquire land for a cemetery in three locations after the current one got filled up.

It has been more than five years since the main cemeteries in Nakuru were declared full by county health officials, but getting new space has been a challenge.

The main cemeteries, which include Nakuru North and Njoro, cannot accommodate more bodies while little space is left in the Nakuru South, and Gilgil cemeteries.

Njoro residents are the most affected as the cemetery was declared full more than five years ago. County Public Health officer Samuel King’ori confirmed that no land has been found for new cemeteries.

“We want to buy parcels of land in Subukia, Naivasha and Nakuru where the cemeteries had already filled up,” he said. “We are having problems convincing owners to sell land to us.

‘‘The moment they establish the purpose of acquiring such parcels they chicken out,” Mr King’ori said.

He blamed the problem on local beliefs. Nakuru County has set aside Sh80 million for the purchase of land to set up cemeteries, according to the official. Sh40 million was set aside in the current financial year and a similar amount in the next budget.

Other challenges cited by the county health official include specifications required like topography and distance.

“We have managed to get a five-acre land in Maai Mahiu and we are carrying out due diligence,” said Mr King’ori.