Dr.Edris N.Omondi (Advocate)
As Kisumu continues to grow, balancing its urban and rural characteristics, the issue of burial sites becomes increasingly complex. Areas like Nyalenda, Obunga, Manyatta, Bandani, Kanyametha, Kanyakwar, Nyamasaria and Kogony areas which are part of Kisumu’s urban setup, still rely on traditional burial practices within the city. This reliance presents challenges such as limited space, potential environmental risks, and the need for a solution that respects the deep cultural significance of burial practices in the region especially among the Luo community the predominant majority in the affected areas.
One of the potential solutions is the development and greening of designated burial spaces, specifically the Mamboleo cemetery to be more of a memorial park. However, as this site nears capacity, Kisumu’s leadership must proactively plan for the future by identifying and gazetting additional burial spaces to prevent overcrowding and ensure respectful, sustainable practices.
Current Situation: Mamboleo Cemetery and Its Capacity
Apart from the historic Kisumu war cemetery, the Sunni Muslim and the Ismaili cemeteries, Mamboleo cemetery has long served as one of Kisumu’s main burial sites, but its capacity is nearing its limit. This has resulted in pressure to find additional areas for burial, balancing both the expansion of the city and the emotional, cultural, and religious importance of burial practices to local communities. This challenge requires a holistic, culturally sensitive approach that respects traditions while accommodating modern urban growth.
Potential Future Solutions:
1. Designated Burial Spaces: As proposed, additional burial grounds such as Mamboleo should be identified and expanded. The County Government should prioritize gazetting more land to ensure a long-term solution. These new sites should be strategically located within the wider county spatial plan to avoid crowding and should provide essential infrastructure, such as roads, water, and waste management, to mitigate health risks, ideally bring out green spaces out of the grave sites.
2. Modern Burial Practices: As urbanization continues, Kisumu might explore adopting modern burial practices, including vertical cemeteries or multi-layered burial plots for families, reserved at a price. Countries like Japan have implemented vertical cemeteries to optimize space in densely populated areas, and similar approaches could be adopted in Kisumu.
3. Eco-Friendly or Green Burial Sites: An environmentally sustainable option could be the development of natural or “green” cemeteries. These burial grounds would allow for biodegradable burials that minimize the environmental footprint. Countries like the UK and the U.S. have adopted such solutions to conserve land and preserve nature.
4. Cultural Sensitivity and Community Involvement: Given the deeply emotional and cultural nature of burial practices in Kisumu, any changes to burial site management must be handled with great care. Community engagement is crucial for gaining acceptance and ensuring respect for local traditions. Kisumu’s leadership should involve local elders, religious leaders, and community representatives in the decision-making process. The involvement of cultural and spiritual stakeholders will ensure that the burial process remains respectful of the values and customs of the people.
5. Development of County Legislation: To address the growing challenges of burial site management, Kisumu should develop comprehensive county legislation that governs the allocation and use of burial spaces. This legislation would:
- Establish clear policies for the expansion and development of burial sites.
- Create guidelines for eco-friendly and vertical burials.
- Ensure culturally appropriate practices are included in the planning and management of burial grounds.
- Protect the interests of local communities by involving them in key decisions regarding the designation of new burial sites.
- Regulate the sanitation and environmental management of burial grounds to prevent public health risks.
International Examples of Resolving Burial Site Issues:
1. Singapore: Facing limited land space, Singapore has introduced vertical cemeteries and columbariums. The government has also promoted cremation over traditional burial. The shift has been carried out in a culturally sensitive manner, with extensive public consultations and awareness campaigns. This approach could serve as an example for Kisumu to explore vertical or multi-layered burial options considering Kisumu has also a wide population of the Asian Community.
2. London, UK: In London, where burial space is also limited, green burial sites have been created to provide a sustainable option for local residents. These sites avoid toxic chemicals and use biodegradable materials for burials. The city involved local communities in the process by hosting public consultations, ensuring cultural and religious sensitivities are respected.
3. New York City, USA: In New York, the city has set aside specific areas for burial parks in suburban regions to accommodate the growing population. New York officials collaborated closely with local communities to ensure that the new burial sites are culturally sensitive and aligned with the needs and traditions of its diverse population.
Conclusion:
Kisumu, as a city within a rural setup, faces a unique challenge in managing burial sites that respect local cultural practices while addressing the demands of urban growth. As Mamboleo cemetery nears capacity, Kisumu’s leadership must prioritize sustainable planning, identifying new burial grounds and incorporating modern solutions like vertical and green burial sites. At the same time, ensuring community involvement is critical to preserving cultural values. The development of county legislation will be key to providing clear, fair, and culturally respectful guidelines for burial practices, ensuring that the needs of both the living and the deceased are met in a way that honours Kisumu’s heritage and promotes sustainable urban development.
