You may soon be able to view the remains of Kenya's founding father the late Jomo Kenyatta if Parliament passes a Bill introduced by Chuka-Igambang'ombe legislator Muthomi Njuki that is seeking to make the Jomo Kenyatta mausoleum a tourist site.
The Kenyatta Mausoleum Bill, 2016, provides a framework for the public to access the grounds where Mzee Kenyatta’s remains were buried and for management of the tomb as a tourist attraction site.
The late President Kenyatta died on August 22, 1978 and was laid to rest at the now military guarded mausoleum next to the Parliament buildings on August 31, 1978.
However, members of the public are not allowed to access the premises. Each year on August 22, to mark the anniversary of Kenyatta's passing, the sitting President and members of the Kenyatta family visit the mausoleum to lay wreaths at the headstone in memory of the founding father, in what is always a military ceremony with no public fanfare.
If the Bill is passed by the the Assembly and gets presidential ascent into law, the grounds will be managed by National Museums Board.
The Bill additionally underlines a framework for the expansion of the mausoleum to make it a place for research and dissemination of knowledge on the late President as well as preserve and conserve Kenya's natural and cultural heritage.
If passed by the House, both local and international tourists will access the tomb at a fee.
The Mausoleum shall be funded by the National Government but also generate its own funds from donors and other sources.
Muthomi Njuki holds that making the mausoluem public will generate revenue for the government and create jobs for Kenyans.
