Lang’ata Cemetery is now at serious risk of being shut down after the Ministry of Health raised alarm over its worsening condition.
The ministry says the facility is extremely overcrowded with bodies, turning it into a public health and safety threat.
Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni expressed deep concern about the state of the cemetery. Her remarks followed the release of a report by a special committee, which revealed that the cemetery is not only overburdened but also poorly maintained.
The committee strongly advised the Ministry of Health to issue an official warning declaring that Lang’ata Cemetery is both overcrowded and a potential danger to public health.
According to PS Muthoni, Nairobi City County should ensure that all activities at the cemetery strictly follow public health laws.
This is to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases, reduce social stigma, and avoid environmental pollution.
PS Muthoni warned that if Nairobi’s county government fails to take quick action, the Ministry of Health is ready to declare the cemetery a public health hazard.
One of the major recommendations is that the county government should reclaim a five-acre piece of land next to the cemetery, which is believed to have been illegally taken and is currently occupied by residential buildings.
She emphasized that getting back this land is crucial because it can provide space for expanding the cemetery and help ease the overcrowding issue.
“Nairobi City County should move quickly to reclaim the land next to Lang’ata Cemetery for expansion.
We also advise that the county be instructed to get all the official documents showing ownership of that land,” Muthoni added.
Another serious concern raised in the report is about security. In recent months, Lang’ata Cemetery has become a hotspot for criminal activities.
The area has been used by criminals to dump human remains and engage in other illegal acts, putting residents and visitors at risk.
These troubling revelations come nearly 20 years after the first warnings that Lang’ata Cemetery was running out of space and was no longer suitable for continued burials.
Since its establishment in 1958, more than 157,000 people have been buried there, including some famous individuals.
Despite its limited space and overuse, about 30 new burials still take place at the cemetery every week.
This shows that the facility has long exceeded its capacity, making the need for immediate action even more urgent.
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