Why Langata grave diggers are protesting

We have bills to pay and we have persevered enough!

These were the cries of Lang'ata grave diggers who were protesting because they hadn't been paid their salaries for the last five months.

The protesters who were dispersed by police using tear gas, brought the burial services at the cemetery into a standstill.

They blocked and locked cemetery gates making it hard to pass through.

"No burial services will take place here today until our cries are heard!" one was heard shouting. 

Even as they continued their onslaught, other diggers lit up bonfires and ordered mourners to stop their burial services and exit the cemetery.

“Governor Johnson Sakaja came here and promised that our salaries would be paid in less than a week. It's been more than two weeks now and nothing has been done," one of the protesters said bitterly.

Another one was heard insisting that what they needed is money not promises.

"The MCA promised us the same but no one has been paid. We have bills to pay and we have persevered enough. We want our salaries paid," the protester said.

Nairobi County Secretary Patrick Analo confirmed that the workers had not been paid.

"The payments were interfered with by the county's budget cycle. So we are also waiting," the MCA said.

 "We have about 77 laborers working in the cemetery who were retained six months ago to tend to the ground and improve the aesthetics. Let me apologise that they have not been paid to date."

He said the workers would be paid in a week's time after the monies were approved.

"It is just a matter of time and they will be paid by next week. It's unfortunate that they protested today and closed the cemetery, obstructing those who wanted to bury their loved ones," he said as he tried to calm the workers.

The workers vowed to continue with demonstrations until justice is served.

Furthermore, the workers pleaded with the government to improve their working conditions.

They said they need proper tools and equipment to enable them to carry out their duties effectively.

Langata cemetery is divided between a “permanent” and “temporary” section.

Plots in the permanent section range can be “cemented in” to thwart grave robbers.  

So a large number of Nairobi residents choose to bury their family members in a temporary grave.

Graves here are flattened every five years, maybe less, to make room for more bodies.

No records are kept in the temporary section and families are not allowed to visit after the burial.