Wednesday, July 30, 2025 - A Kenyan citizen, John Mweha, has formally petitioned the Government to relocate the remains of Kenya’s founding President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, from Parliament Buildings in Nairobi to his ancestral home in Gatundu, Kiambu County.
In a letter dated July 29 and addressed to the Ministry of
Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage, Mweha argued that the current burial
site, located within the precincts of Parliament, is primarily reserved for the
legislative arm of government and may not align with traditional African
values.
Describing his petition as “sincere and non-partisan,” Mweha
urged the Government to initiate a dignified, culturally sensitive, and
consultative process for the relocation.
He claimed that although not formally documented, it is
widely believed that Mzee Kenyatta would have preferred to be buried in
Gatundu.
Mweha emphasized that ancestral burial is a vital tradition
in many African cultures, believed to ensure spiritual peace and generational
continuity.
He further argued that the move would honor African
traditions, foster national healing, and promote the spirit of devolution.
He proposed that Gatundu could benefit from the
establishment of a national memorial site, offering educational, cultural, and
economic value to the region.
Mweha also called for a multi-stakeholder forum involving
the Kenyatta family, cultural leaders, the National Museums of Kenya, and other
public bodies to guide the process.
Additionally, he proposed a public engagement framework and
an independent review.
While the Constitution does not specify burial locations for
former presidents, Kenyatta’s interment at Parliament was seen as a national
tribute to his legacy.
His mausoleum remains heavily guarded and closed to the
public.
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