Historic Christian Cemetery Set for Relocation as Government Expands Kipchoge Keino Stadium Ahead of Mashujaa Day
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen addresses journalists during an inspection tour of Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, as preparations for the Mashujaa Day celebrations gather pace. Image by Hubz Media.
By James Gitaka
The historic Christian cemetery adjacent to Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret is set for relocation as the government accelerates plans to expand and complete the sporting facility ahead of this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations.
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the government would ensure that all legal procedures are followed before the remains of those buried at the cemetery are relocated, including conducting public participation and engaging affected families.
Murkomen spoke during an inspection tour of Kipchoge Keino Stadium and other sporting facilities in the North Rift region as the government steps up preparations for the national celebrations scheduled to be held in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
The stadium, whose construction began more than a decade ago but stalled for years, is now undergoing accelerated works as the government races to upgrade the facility to international standards before the October celebrations expected to be led by President William Ruto.
Murkomen acknowledged the cultural, religious and emotional sensitivity surrounding the relocation of a cemetery, saying the government would handle the process with dignity and respect.
“We will ensure that all the legal processes are followed. Being Africans, we are sensitive to our cultural beliefs and the respect accorded to the dead. Public participation will be conducted before moving the remains of those who were buried there,” Murkomen said.
The Cabinet Secretary assured families with relatives buried at the cemetery that the government would not ignore their concerns.
“We will do it in a manner that dignifies the dead and ensures that families feel respected throughout the process,” he added.
The cemetery is located next to the stadium, where major construction and expansion works are underway as part of the preparations to host the national Mashujaa Day celebrations.
Bii Says Consultations Already Underway
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii said consultations on the proposed relocation of the cemetery were already in progress.
The governor said discussions involving relevant stakeholders had gained momentum as the government works to address outstanding issues surrounding the expansion of the stadium.
“The conversations and consultations are already taking place. We are engaging on the way forward as preparations for the completion of the stadium continue,” Bii said.
He welcomed the renewed government commitment to complete Kipchoge Keino Stadium, saying residents of Uasin Gishu had waited for more than a decade to see the project completed.
“Finally, there is hope for the completion of this stadium. Its construction started more than ten years ago, and the people of this county have waited for a long time to see it completed,” the governor said.
The completion of the stadium is expected to boost Eldoret’s ability to host major national and international sporting events.
Court Order and Accelerated Construction Works
According to Hubz Media sources, legal processes relating to the exhumation and relocation of the remains buried at the historic Christian cemetery have already progressed, with a court order for the exercise reportedly having been obtained.
Workers at the construction site said preparations were underway for the next phase of the expansion works, with the cemetery area expected to be affected as construction gathers pace.
One of the workers at the site, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said the construction teams were working under strict timelines ahead of Mashujaa Day.
“There are major works that have to be completed within the remaining two months before the Mashujaa Day celebrations. The VIP area, roofing works and the parking lot for vehicles are among the priority areas, the rest of the works may proceed after the celebrations” the worker said.
The worker said construction teams were working towards preparing the stadium and its surroundings for the national celebrations.
However, the government has not publicly released full details of the reported court order, including the specific terms and timeline for the relocation of the remains.
Families Previously Raised Concerns
The planned relocation comes amid concerns previously raised by some leaders and families whose loved ones are buried at the historic Christian cemetery.
Over the past two weeks, some affected families expressed concern over reports of possible exhumation, saying they had not been adequately involved in discussions surrounding the relocation of their relatives’ remains.
The families called for meaningful consultation and clear communication before any action is taken.
The issue remains particularly sensitive because of the cultural and religious significance attached to burial sites and the need to respect both the deceased and their families.
Murkomen’s commitment to public participation is therefore expected to be closely scrutinised as the government proceeds with the planned expansion of the stadium.
Eldoret Set for Major Road Upgrades
The government has also announced a wider infrastructure programme for Eldoret City as part of the preparations for Mashujaa Day.
Beyond the stadium works, approximately 20 kilometres of roads are expected to be improved to enhance the city’s road network and improve movement within the town.
The infrastructure projects are part of a broader facelift aimed at preparing Eldoret for the national celebrations and the large number of visitors expected in the city.
Cultural Communities to Take Centre Stage
Preparations for Mashujaa Day will also include cultural activities involving communities from across the North Rift region.
Communities from Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet and other neighbouring areas are expected to participate in cultural performances during the celebrations.
Auditions are expected to begin soon in an exercise to be coordinated by Denis Itumbi, Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination.
The cultural programme is expected to showcase the diversity, traditions and heritage of communities from the wider North Rift region.
Leaders Join Inspection Tour
Murkomen was accompanied during the inspection tour by Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo, Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Shollei and Soy Member of Parliament David Kiplagat.
Also present were Nandi Governor Stephen Sang and Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich, alongside other senior national and county government officials.
Top security officers led by Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan were also part of the inspection team.
The leaders toured Kipchoge Keino Stadium and other sporting facilities in Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi counties as the government coordinates preparations for the Mashujaa Day celebrations.
The renewed push to complete the long-delayed Kipchoge Keino Stadium has raised hopes that the project will finally be completed after more than a decade.
However, the planned relocation of the historic Christian cemetery remains one of the most sensitive aspects of the expansion, with the government now facing the task of balancing the urgency of the construction works with the legal, cultural, religious and emotional concerns of families whose loved ones are buried at the site.
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