Nairobi County has acquired 150 acres of land at Kamiti Prison and Embakasi Garrison to establish new cemeteries.
The move is aimed at reducing pressure on overburdened Lang’ata Cemetery, which has been operating beyond capacity for some time now.
Speaking before a committee of the Nairobi County Assembly, Chief Officer for Public Health Tom Nyakaba confirmed the acquisition of 100 acres at Kamiti Prison and 50 acres at Embakasi Garrison.
He noted that the sites are currently undergoing preparation and will soon be open to the public.
“We have secured 100 acres at Kamiti and 50 acres at Embakasi Garrison to serve as new burial sites. These spaces are being prepared and will be ready for use shortly,” said Nyakaba.
Nairobi currently operates nine cemeteries, most of which are community-managed.
These include sites at Forest Road, Pangani, Mutuini, Uthiru, Southlands, Kariokor Christian, Ruai, and land near the National Police Service.
The county is working to bring these cemeteries under unified oversight to enhance efficiency and reduce pressure on Lang’ata.
Despite being officially declared full in 2001, Lang’ata Cemetery remains Nairobi’s most active burial ground, handling around 30 burials weekly.
Its central location and ease of access continue to make it the preferred choice for many families.
“Lang’ata is easily accessible and well-connected by public and private transport, which is why many still prefer it,” Nyakaba said.
Challenges have marred efforts to secure alternative cemetery land in Nairobi. In 2009, the county government lost millions in a high-profile scandal involving the purchase of the Mavoko land.
Other initiatives, including proposals to purchase land in Kajiado or acquire forest land near Lang’ata, failed due to legal, financial, or regulatory obstacles.
Notably, 2021 talks between the now-defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services and the Kenya Forest Service did not result in any agreement.
The failure of these initiatives has exacerbated the burial space shortage in Lang'ata Cemetery, with families reportedly resorting to shallow graves and alternative burial practices, such as cremation, which have not been widely adopted.
