A petition filed to the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage is calling for the remains of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s founding father and first president, to be relocated from Parliament Grounds in Nairobi to his ancestral home in Gatundu, Kiambu County.
The petition dated July 29 and signed by John Mweha Kariuki, a community leader from Kiambaa Constituency, argues that Kenyatta’s current resting place contradicts both constitutional and cultural principles.
“This is a sincere, non-partisan appeal to the Government to initiate a dignified, consultative, and culturally sensitive process,” the petition states.
“Relocating Mzee’s remains to Gatundu would reflect our cultural reverence and promote a sense of rootedness among citizens.”
Kenyatta, who led Kenya from independence in 1963 until his death in 1978, was buried at a state mausoleum adjacent to Parliament Buildings.
Reasons for Relocation of Kenyatta’s Body
Kariuki contends that this location is “symbolically and constitutionally reserved for the Legislative arm of Government,” which he believes creates an institutional conflict given Kenyatta’s role as the Head of the Executive.
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The petition lists seven core reasons for the proposed relocation, including spiritual alignment, national reconciliation, and devolution of historical memory.
It also stated the belief, though undocumented, that Kenyatta may have preferred to be buried in his homeland in accordance with Kikuyu traditions.
“Among many African communities, the failure to observe ancestral burial traditions for elders is believed to bring misfortune or unrest,” the petition notes. “This act of cultural restoration would symbolically bring balance, healing, and national harmony.”
Kariuki further calls for the creation of a National Heritage Site in Gatundu, which he says would serve as a center for education, cultural reflection, and tourism.
He recommends that the government convene a national consultative forum including the Kenyatta’s family, religious leaders, the National Museums of Kenya, and cultural elders to discuss the process.
Constitutional Provisions
The petition invokes several constitutional provisions to support the request, including Article 11 on cultural heritage, Article 33 on freedom of expression, and Article 44 on cultural rights.
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It also showed the symbolic importance of respecting ancestral lands under Article 60 of the Constitution.
“I believe that relocating the remains of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta to his ancestral home would honor our traditions, correct a historical inconsistency, and reaffirm our identity as a people rooted in cultural values,” Kariuki writes.
The document has been formally copied to President William Ruto, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, the Judiciary, the Kenyatta family, county governments, and national media outlets.
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