NAIROBI, December 2, 2019, GPS
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has reaffirmed his commitment to protect the 38 gazetted war grave sites in Nairobi.
The governor made the commitment when he hosted officials from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) at City Hall.
The delegation honored the governor with commendation seal from the CWGC which was issued by the Director General Ms Victoria Wallace to recognize his efforts in protecting the gazetted war grave sites.
Sonko ordered the county chief officer for security and compliance, Mr Tito Kilonzi, to offer maximum protection to a contractor putting up a perimeter wall and renovations at the Kariokor cemetery.
This is after the Director General notified him of the challenge that the contractor is facing on the ground to complete the ongoing construction of the perimeter wall.
The governor also ordered the immediate removal of any remaining or upcoming illegal structures on the site.
“My commitment remains intact and I assure you that the works will go on at the cemetery without any interruptions,” Sonko told the delegation.
He further assured the delegation that his administration is ready to offer support in any other areas they may require, including the site building plans that they shall submit early next year.
Renovations at the CWGS at Kariokor begun in October following the removal of illegal settlements by the county government.
This is after Ms Wallace wrote to the Governor on October 24 to notify him of plans to do a perimeter wall for enhanced protection of the sites.
The renovations are aimed at an enabling heritage space for on-site viewing by visitors and tourists interested in vising it.
During the meeting, Ms Wallace thanked the county for the support accorded to them in recovering part of the Kariokor Cemetery land that had been grabbed and invaded by illegal squatters.
“The CWGC is in the process of developing the Kariokor site into a place of beauty and an amenity that will be an attraction to locals and international visitors, where they can also learn our shared history,” said Ms Wallace.
Also present was Mr. Richard Hills, the Director for Africa Asia Pacific and Mr. Daniel Achini, the Senior Technical Supervisor for Kenya.
They were also accompanied by Dr. Purity Kiura and Mr. Stanvas Ongalo from the National Museums of Kenya.
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