By Robert Mutasi 
Tension is mounting in Eldoret after a section of leaders and residents opposed plans to exhume bodies from the historic Eldoret Christian Cemetery to pave way for construction works around the Kipchoge Keino Stadium.
The leaders, led by Uasin Gishu County Assembly Minority Leader and Huruma Ward MCA Hon. Kimani Wanjohi, are now demanding that the national government suspend any further exhumation, saying the exercise is being done without court orders, without public participation and without consulting affected families.
The cemetery, which sits directly behind the stadium, has become a flashpoint as the government races to complete stadium renovations in time to host this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations.
Addressing journalists at the cemetery grounds on Tuesday, Wanjohi said while residents support the stadium project, which is key to enhancing Eldoret’s status as a sporting hub in the North Rift, the law must be followed.
“We support the ongoing government construction of the Kipchoge Keino Stadium, but the law must not be suspended, especially where the remains of people buried at the Christian cemetery are concerned,” Wanjohi said.
He said residents have noticed a perimeter wall being erected and are convinced that exhumation is imminent, despite no formal communication to families.
“It is saddening that the wall was built, we are very sure that the exhumation of the bodies will be done. It has been planned that the bodies buried here will be removed. For a fact our Kenyan laws are very clear that if one has to exhume a body there must be a court order giving clear information on how and why the exhumation is being done,” he stated.
Wanjohi insisted that public participation is mandatory under the Constitution before such a sensitive exercise.
“You must also carry out the public participation but that being said how is it possible that the government led by the County Government of Uasin Gishu is planning to carry out the exhumation of the bodies without the public participation? It is a violation of human rights and that area should be protected as a matter of culture and heritage. Let the dead rest,” he added.
The MCA warned that they will move to court if the government proceeds without involving families.
“We shall be heading to court to stop the plans for exhumation of the bodies since it is against the laws. We must respect the law and the dead. If you do not do justice, the spirit of those you disturb will haunt you,” he warned.
The historic value of the cemetery has also come into focus. Among those buried there is Stephanus Petrus Ernest “Fanie” Kruger, documented in historical records as an early Eldoret farmer. The site is also referenced in a 1992 High Court judgment, Mjomba v Malilo, which mentioned a woman buried at the Eldoret Christian Cemetery, proving its long existence.
Wanjohi further alleged there have been past attempts to grab the cemetery land and cautioned against using stadium construction as a pretext for irregular acquisition.
Caretakers who depend on the cemetery for survival also pleaded for dignity.
Victor Mwanzali, who has worked at the cemetery for eight years, said families invested heavily in burying their loved ones and deserve to be involved.
“We are requesting that there is dignity in all this process, the family members did a lot in the process of burial and exhuming these bodies requires same dignity and process, families must be involved as humanity is integral,” Mwanzali said.
Another caretaker, Mbutupu, said the exhumation would render them jobless.
“We are worried on where are we going to get our bread of the day if they are going to exhume these bodies since we have been getting jobs offered by family members and relatives to clean the graves,” he said.
The leaders now want the government to clarify the number of graves affected, the legal authority for the exhumation, and the plan for reburial, as the state is yet to officially respond to the concerns.