Lang’ata Cemetery in Nairobi to be Turned into a Forest in Land Swap Deal

The Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) has revealed plans to swap the Lang’ata Cemetery land with another parcel next to it. This is after the 100-acre cemetery, which is the largest burial site in the country, was declared full 20 years ago.

NMS Director-General Mohammed Badi on Friday said the agency is currently negotiating with the ministries of Environment and Land and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) over the swap deal.

“NMS is now considering swapping of cemetery land with another piece of forest land next to it or even buying it. We are still legally negotiating with them and want to give them alternative operating space as we take up their land to act as the burial site,” said Badi.

He added: “We will ensure that we plant trees before we swap with them. We however don’t know what the outcome will be.”

The 67-acre forest land lies next to Lang’ata Cemetery and will be turned into a burial site for Muslims, Christians, and Hindus if the swap deal between NMS and KFS goes through.

Badi said the main problem for KFS in the swap deal is how it will meet its target of 10 percent green cover.

NMS has set aside Sh150 million in the current financial year for the acquisition of land in Mugumoini ward, Lang’ata Sub-county, to act as the county’s official burial ground.