Lang'ata Cemetery: Undertaker lifts lid on scary tales, reveals why it is a cool place to work in

Nderitu Maina has been in charge of the Lang'ata Cemetery for 15 years. Over the years, there have been scary stories about the cemetery, ranging from being a haunted place to illegal exhumation of bodies by people eyeing expensive coffins and clothes buried with the deceased. But Maina has come out to demystify all the tales about the cemetery, and in his own words, 'it is a cool place to work from'.
He spoke to Citizen Digital on why people should not fear the cemetery, what happens when one wants to bury their loved one and the types of graves found in this final resting place for millions of people.

[@stellasulwe]

Nderitu is a very good man. Intelligent, helpful and considerate. He helped me locate my aunt's grave (permanent section) from 1989 and we cemented it.

[@glenouma8037]

Just curious, so there is a section that is temporary? How exactly does that work?

[@Msapere]

@@glenouma8037 exactly as it sounds😅

[@ritaroggs]

Awesome! God bless him

[@rongoeiphilip1352]

But he has been there for 15yrs

[@eunicemogusu1906]

​@@glenouma8037 The temporary section means after a while, ukikuja hutapata grave ya mtu wenu.

[@amazinggrace6389]

Nderitu is a man with a golden heart, I burried my daughter in Langata Cemetery, he is humble and very resourceful. We respect you Sir.

[@Truthfulmen_women]

I have worked for 6 years as a mortuary attendant in Kirinyaga county (Kerugoya district hospital) from end 2015 - 2021 massaging bodies , applying perfumes on them for a perfect smell , this is perfectly the best job as an employee. Hakuna mabishano/majibizano na the clients , they are just "sleeping peacefully" how you put it is how you will find it tomorrow , as per the section you deal with. From there I went ahead to open up a business and became my own boss. Thankyou Kirinyaga county for giving me that opportunity to serve you.

[@chichiresian9645]

Only if it's a close person who has unsolved issues can visit, but it's very rare.

[@victoronuko8226]

Very good Murina...hii kazi iko sawa sana. Watu wameweka uoga mbele nikama wao hawatakufa.

[@Kobe_254]

So you are a caregiver for the dead!!

[@catherinemumbua8251]

Waaah ok

[@simonwainaina7360]

Hebu niwaulizeni tafadhali wapi naweza somea Kuwa mortician hapa Kenya fast and cheap?

[@BossMan373U]

This is very good journalism. I am happy journalism is coming back to Kenyan newsrooms.

[@euniceopul6504]

Maina is a very friendly and approachable man. He understands grief and is very calm when handling the berieved .

[@davidsmith-oi3zg]

Hello Eunice how are you doing today?......This is awesome teaching! All who are considering marriage should listen to this...hope you enjoyed the sermon?

[@sonyia7521]

Yah, this guy is the best. He explains this things to whoever who want to listen. One day we went to bury and he explained so much to us. It's good to accept your work and do it with diligence and again, we need such courageous people.

[@samkimani397]

The cemetery actually is the safest place one can be,same with a mortuary.I have never understood why people are scared of the dead.The people logically one should be worried about are the living .

[@DaxL_net]

Spiritually filled zones are graveyards and mortuaries.

[@marthawangui777]

They don't get it

[@samkimani397]

@@marthawangui777 Can't argue with superstitious people.

[@samkimani397]

@@DaxL_net How do you know this?.From experience dead people usually remain dead .

[@DaxL_net]

@Sam Kimani take a Tesla with sensors there and see if you won't see it. Again am not here to argue who's right or wrong. If you right am glad you remain that way. On superstitious I'll leave that to whomever that wants to remain that way. Just because you don't detect frequencies in different spectrum doesn't mean it is not there.

[@hassankajogoo3226]

This gentleman is a blessing. He helped trace a special some1 for me and my sibling. He is so helpful

[@williamoneya2054]

cheers the journalist who covered on langata and mr maina from cementry ,one important point is cleaness is big issue and insecurity, and last roads issues.

[@kenyaningermany]

R.I.P FOR ALL OUR RELATIVES WHO FOUND A RESTING PLACE @ LANGATA❤❤❤

[@davidsmith-oi3zg]

Hello Kenyan how are you doing today?.......R.I.P to all the beautiful lovers we lost..been a widower for a while now i pray i find love soonest...hope you enjoyed the sermon?

[@Quranly]

1. Say, “He is God, the One. 2. God, the Absolute. 3. He begets not, nor was He begotten. 4. And there is nothing comparable to Him {quran 112:1-4}

[@ayotadhiambo]

I'm glad Maina mentioned a little about cremation, but he didn't talk about the cost...I wish he mentioned the cost for cremation.

[@KevinWakliFitness]

Kenyans don't know how much we Nigerians love them...Kenya🇰🇪 Nigeria🇳🇬 loves you❤

[@mburulucky9580]

Oshawo

[@margretmauno1285]

We love you back❤❤

[@Serahpaul84]

Get out momo

[@blackqueen7710]

Thank you 🙏🙏

[@janaleokesho8374]

It's a trap guys

[@jelagatrotich82]

Since my mom died when i was young,, and what i went through, nowadays i cant fear the dead

[@MartinMagumajestic]

😂😂wowoi

[@celestinedrodofsky1129]

Mev too😢

[@dukeofrideshare]

Pole sana .

[@johndalton23]

I love the way he argues. Very intelligent.

[@nehemiah8974]

😢😢but the transition you have gone through mzee is scaring 😮😮you are brave enough

[@Marykimbui]

I had an issue with cremation, but one pastor explained it very well there at langata during an event. He said , the bible says, dust to dust. Ashes to ashes. There must have been a reason to mention both. Then he explained that the spirit has already departed. Both of us, you who is creating and I, burying are disposing differently. One ,going down to the ground whole, the other parallel to the incinerator but finally to the ground.

[@markkipkinyor6841]

Maria I love the fact that you took your notes very well from that Pastor. I was surely right

[@wuodoketch]

But biblically do we have where someone was cremated... give me even one please

[@MAINA_THETHERE_1704]

​@@wuodoketchdid our forefathers bury people, they threw dead bodies in the forest for wild animals to eat When u bury the dead, u just follow the slavery brought by our British colonizer's, who also brought the same bible u quote, u didn't write it When u cremate, u follow Hindu cultures, cremation is the best thing, and africans are adopting it.

[@jfk2kennedy]

​@@MAINA_THETHERE_1704 So what's ua point here coz u dont seem to want any 'copying of other culture'?_D'u prefer following the 'british slavery/culture' or the Hindu culture or we go back to throwing the dead in the forest as sm ancestors did? And who were these ancestor?

[@queenbee1588]

@@wuodoketch hey you can't go by the book on everything. Otherwise even going to school was not in the Bible

[@Cochabamba37]

Thanks for dispelling myths and old wives tales

[@werewaciori4254]

What I know is that kuvutia kishash kwa makaburi meditation inkuanga real you connect very well spiritually.

[@sonyia7521]

Shidwe

[@sonyia7521]

Shidwe

[@jamesmaina8328]

the man is well schooled nderitu maina kikuyus we never disappoint even rigathi gachagua kanda ya mathira is a witnesses

[@jay29jay78]

Raila ashasema huyo gachagua ni taka taka..I dont know if it's true

[@issachege5606]

Exhumation is real hppe all of u remembered the story of masanduku,the man can't answer all quizzes bcz anawak na gava so he must be careful what is spliting out

[@Victor-qu5nz]

Debunk the myths sir... Keep it up... I salute u sir

[@danielk7225]

We need you to interview the bossess and tell us why langata never fills up, yet the space there is not infinite.

[@MK-lb9ud]

Wanted to know this as well ?

[@mozi3051]

​@MK it's big.

[@b.9811]

Hv u Not hard temporary grave. Its temporary and they reuse it Unazikaa mtu , u forget about them Somebody is being reburied. And the use of Chemical s to desolve the body i think so.❤

[@nellygathoni2496]

​@@b.9811 your right

[@almahnjambi]

He avoided to answer this question with a reason. Your guess is as good as mine

[@pmashaa1116]

A city like Nairobi should be having a dozen Council Cemeteries, but we never think of basic needs like good healthcare centers, fire stations, modern police stations, or anything to do with Emergency Response. We steal and elect thieves who will drive around in Big Cars with V8 engines and build mansions without even thinking what if they catch fire or an emergency occurs...we are truly a cursed lot who deserve everything coming and happening to us!

[@hmm-zb2lp]

very honest, truthfull, civilized and decent man. i wish all kenyans will have such understanding of this man about death especially in villages someday.

[@mwangifredrick5508]

I lost my first born daughter but when I go to Mubarak cemetery Mombasa is the only place I have peace en I feel am connected to my daughter....

[@phanoh9659]

May she continue resting with the angels

[@Komaroff-y7f]

Sorry mummy 🥺🥺, may she continue resting in peace 🕊️🙏🙏🙏

[@brilianombongi8063]

Hugs mummy

[@tashleyskalsson2472]

Sorry

[@peggynjery7265]

My angel sleeps there too. Tinisha Mumbi continue resting my dear angel

[@WaweruG]

As kids back then in the village, along those bushy pathways sat a lonely grave in a very lonely place, we all passed eyes closed, looked in the opposite direction & fingers firmly closed so none could be in a way be pointing the grave, a very bad thing to do.

[@ericvonza4640]

Story za jaba , unafunga macho ya nini

[@naomimuia2010]

I can remember they all scared us of the death for real and all this were myths

[@ritaroggs]

​@Eric Vonza amesema they were kids..and as kids we were scared of the dead.

[@rosamariewanjiru8659]

Me too. Up to date at 40 yes old,I can't pass near a graveyard at night

[@henryhennzkuria1350]

@@rosamariewanjiru8659 you have to overcome that fear

[@MrJoechoka]

Very honest Kenyan. He should be honored.

[@lewinmukui70]

Hizo medals za Alina kitheri man Huh We are a lost nation

[@kabuthakabutha9472]

Ata Leo nimeona kisauni cemetery Mombasa, conducting my normal business, nothing to fear about. Death is inevitable.

[@muemamusyoka6970]

L

[@MD_ENTERTAINMENT]

I like what he said, "those are just stories" 😂😂. People don't want to hear that, they would rather to believe some foolishness 😂😂

[@ayublandscapes4536]

Always interview someone in a language they are comfortable with for an interview to be interesting please.

[@mercywanduga5060]

Maina you are a great guy,ulinisaindia sana.

[@Bahatiedit]

U have his contact he help me locate my mom's grave please

[@christopherallindi8176]

There was contention on the body of Moses Jude 1:9 Life is spiritual, believers , its not that simple as he claims, the Bible contains what is sufficient for our understanding. Blessed day

[@mugadeprince358]

Unbelievable story

[@shawn-the-first.1643]

THANKS FOR WATCHING

[@ritaroggs]

good job youa doing for the society balikiwa sana!!

[@mwenifiona797]

Gud questions,

[@HelenahSian-hl5ue]

He has secured his place and his name speaks louder his making a good fortune.. Biashara Biashara anauza vitu

[@angash8071]

Very educative!👌🏽

[@en_makori]

He is so truthful.

[@clintonkhan4961]

Amazing💪🏾💪🏾

[@Hellisreal2000]

But about exhumation of bodies haezi ongea juu anapata pesa wakiiba coffin na manguo

[@juliusmutungi4163]

Very wise mzee 100% agree with him

[@issateckhack]

Fear is what we grew knowing, limitations. Without fear, we explore out of our limitations

[@almahnjambi]

The spiritual world is real. Just because someone doesnt believe it, doesnt mean it doesnt exist

[@gjtbaxxxy9864]

Spiritual world exist. It is true

[@attisombetto1058]

Nyinyi mmeona real real or just believe?

[@samkimani397]

Belief is faith without evidence by definition.Hizi stories hakuna mtu anajua.

[@chebetbiaroselangat3883]

Yees ongeza volume

[@cashauto3349]

evidence?

[@peterokalo9632]

👏🏽🙏🏽 very educative the praise ☝🏽 can burial 2 peoples at some grieve

[@hashim6411]

People in some countries live with the dead in grave yards or next to the burial site.

[@mawama6719]

others in their houses, in form of ashes!

[@julieloves_arts]

@@mawama6719 I prefer this one saves space, ashes to ashes

[@doublectv.cctvcalvincorneltv]

The guy is sharp highly educated

[@mecathy2450]

What a transition, from health center, morgue, to cemetery. Next undertaker and finally....

[@feyo357]

😂😂😂😂

[@stanastana3199]

Real OG

[@John-qr4kf]

Hiyo sentence tumemaliza 😂😂😂

[@KevinWakliFitness]

And finally a vampire😂

[@Victor-qu5nz]

Spare that for God to answer

[@Fairview-film-production.]

You didn't want to answer the question but you did without knowing 😂😂😂

[@abdiwadudmaalim38]

When you died it's end of you ots lies but there is judgement infrot of our Creator almighty We've to be prepare for that moment 😢😢

[@fredricklemiso6191]

Awa wote wako hapa walikua Wana husle Nairobi, waki lipa rent😮

[@victoronuko8226]

Hii utoto ya watu wazima kuogopa maiti ama graveside ni ushenzi tu...once mtu amekufa ameenda, hakuna Cha ati nasikia sauti, mara ghost...wait until u loose a close family member u will not fear this nonsene stories said by waoga.

[@casandrachao]

Well said, 'Wait until you loose a close family member'. That's when they'll understand that graves are just our loved ones who are having a permanent sleep.

[@victoronuko8226]

@@casandrachao very true.

[@paulwachira7679]

Mapepo yako bana

[@victoronuko8226]

@@paulwachira7679 kwani mtu akikufa anakuwa pepo.. wacheni upuzi na utoto bana

[@paulwachira7679]

You think we're the only beings God created!!!rebel angals became demons,they torment humans,hapa you tube,tafuta haunted houses of atlanta you familiarize kwanza naona uko nyuma sana!

[@norahnyaanga5037]

The guy is well Coached on what to say…..

[@jfk2kennedy]

He has a job and image to protect.

[@kryptonguitar]

You lured me here I was waiting to see him open the lid

[@stephenouma3264]

My son was buried in langata n sadly enough I cannot remember the location 😭😭😭

[@valentinenasike6048]

The dead don’t hurt,i don’t know why people are scared of them anyways may the departed souls rip,good job to mzee

[@samkirwa3572]

Weeeeeeh, hapo Ata kupita huwa naogopa sana

[@annlavender8502]

Spirits are real...usicheze na kaburini.

[@editholoo6180]

I buried my newborn son there.He is in heaven

[@angelamutai8750]

Sorry for your loss ♥️

[@KimsDerick7]

Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back. Marcus Aurelius.

[@queencecekay6816]

Sure

[@juliuswambua]

Hapo pa Lang'ata kujaa mzee amehepa hio question 😂😂😂😂

[@jeremyclyde3006]

Good to know...

[@AnnloisewanguiGitau-yh2fz]

My dad was buried there back in 1992 September.

[@nathanielmikkie7171]

It is a very peaceful place like any other 😂😂😂 I love this guy

[@bekiodima4049]

No kuna kitu mazae anaficha you remember stories of John kibera

[@user-cg3vf2bl6b]

Yes muiba jeneza,sai ni pastor,bwana asifiwe

[@peter_didit]

he was asked why it never fills up an he said the bosses will answer that, the he goes ahead to say the bylaws allows opening of a grave and burying someone else there, read between the line and you will have your answers

[@sheeba8334]

Even in Europe or US a grave can take up to four bodies..ie family members...it's not a big deal... there's no enough space for all... Nairobi will be full of graves

[@peter_didit]

@@sheeba8334 no really i kenya people are allowed to burry people on their land unlike Europe where you have to go to a cemetery

[@peterokalo9632]

What about to keep the cemetery clean 👏🏽

[@erenestawanjiru1935]

Lying in the line Of Duty...This Man Loves His Job.Weaaaaah.

[@kelvinmunuhe121]

The coolest and safest place to work in....the dead brings no distortions unless you have those folk tale believes..😮

[@danielkalungu4440]

Am yet to understand why we have cemeteries in cities!! This land should be developed. Watu wachomwe

[@raphaelgathuru9640]

Wacha zako za Wajackoya hata Yesu alizikwa.

[@danielkalungu4440]

@@raphaelgathuru9640 alizikwa city?

[@nthambipohl6669]

There’s no city in the world without cemeteries. Some who choose cremation also bury the ashes in cemeteries. Not everybody keeps them at their homes

[@eunicegitau3042]

Something my mum in law said..akifa asipelekwe kwa shamba..apelekwe langata akae na wenzake...watching this reminds me of her ..2018 we buried her in langata

[@thegrace7329]

Gave us permanent answers.

[@sonyia7521]

Me too, nasemaga nizikwe langata kwenye Kuna watu sio kuzikwa kwa shamba, kwani Mimi ni mhogo nitamea?😂

[@sonyia7521]

Me too, nasemaga nizikwe langata kwenye Kuna watu sio kuzikwa kwa shamba, kwani Mimi ni mhogo nitamea?😂

[@cakesncreams6]

wise guy

[@Stargate234]

this man has proyected his job space by all means , though we all know that strange happenungs occur there daily.

[@killion9406]

Wee death is terrible,to be buried is even scary. But now imagine this guy dealing with bodies last 20yrs damn

[@shalomjack]

Ati a peaceful place to work in 😮😮

[@samkimani397]

Very peaceful,hakuna wale watu ambao huongea 24/7 kama type writer,hakuna kastoma sumbua.

[@user-jn4on7ds3s]

Aii still cant believe ati kumetulia usiku 😱 i think i've watched too many movies

[@Tmk5342]

There pple who go there for rituals sema tuu ukweli

[@yasminnanyondo9106]

Yeah!his not telling the truth majini wanaishi makaburini

[@asparagusonly]

​@@yasminnanyondo9106 ukona family member yoyote mwenye amekufa?

[@estherkituyi9890]

Mtu unandika hizo vitu zinapitapita hapo kwa screen plz andika rusungu correct wacha kuintapreat lugha hatuelewi..

[@gkgk266]

Very true

[@kenyanboy7627]

"Kwa nini haijawai jaa"-that was my question too & given that he didn't answer my reason in mind must be the reason

[@SusanNeymar]

Ilijaa uwa warundia

[@SusanNeymar]

Kama hiyo ya jambi ilikuwa aje ndani

[@catherinemumbua8251]

There is nothing I fear like the dead! Even my own mother after she died I never looked at her I just couldn't.

[@KevinWakliFitness]

Hiyo uoga itaisha tu

[@mercywanduga5060]

I was like that,dad,mum bro sikuaona ,but wacha ifike my husband wah..uogo ilishia hapo

[@Dee11182]

May I have my mum from fridge looked at her for like 10 minutes and since then I don't see anything big in this world

[@vaquezartup365]

Also i never looked at my mom I just have memories of her alive Akipiga kelele nisome, her smile, akichapa hustle zake, akisema kusuhu how important it is to take breakfast na kueka bidii I never went to peep kama amelala. Naaaah

[@israelkolenyo2436]

I understand from your name......all Kambas fear the dead

[@geofreymureithi491]

Congrats uncle

[@mawama6719]

Even in death, there is a price to be paid!

[@ericnyandoro6090]

Can he answer whether langata has ever one time been full and if not why was the extra land in kitengela was sot for by the corrupt mudavadi by then?

[@chichiresian9645]

What i Know you can see the spirits , and only a few people Gifted can detect them,

[@ronaldyego9451]

RISWA

[@munyasiasamuel4701]

True

[@2464hellen]

Upus!!

[@ireneritahkimani2196]

One can feel them

[@moniquederique2428]

@@ronaldyego9451 😂😂

[@hassanabdikarim3760]

That's true me my self I am working here in langata cemetery as a security director for the last 18 good years,I have never noticed anything like spirit or whatsoever.

[@maingisamuel316]

I guess i should make a point of reaching you...

[@bensonkwaya7884]

Huyu msee anauzanga majeneza...aacha kutudanganya ss si watoto

[@dangotesam9845]

Scary tales indeed

[@timmusumba5846]

3:32 "But wanyama kama dogs you can see dogs moving around ama passing through the cemetery...." What kind of dogs? Domestic dogs or the wild dogs because if it is wild dogs you would not be here to tell the story not unless you lock yourself up😎🤔! 7:00 "We put it on 4 feet underground..." It is not 6 feet?!

[@munyasiasamuel4701]

True ask him that's a good question

[@mawama6719]

"temporally" burial is 4 feet, permanent is 6 feet

[@hzskillz1721]

Exactly 😂

[@mawama6719]

@@munyasiasamuel4701you mean there are people who are buried temporally! what happens to them thereafter?

[@G_dawgtv]

😂😂wueh....iyo ya mbona haijai jaa amedodge ka risasi

[@carolinemaina339]

Those are not lies.Some of the stories are real.Wr grew up around there and yes the graves are shallow sio uwongo

[@marionciano8519]

Dust we are and dust we shall all return …..

[@wambuirk]

Citizen tv you should disable comments like all other leading media outlets

[@mburulucky9580]

How many year and it never fill up how ?

[@njaumilkah8643]

This man is thomed..... and loves his job.

[@harunmuthui3721]

Uongoooooooooo kwani haijaangi

[@victornyabutiongera709]

In Europe cemetries are open to the public as museums.

[@Mooge-baban]

Imagine if this guy would have installed cameras & lights around the cemetery the kind of videos he would have captured. He would have been going viral all the time

[@rosamariewanjiru8659]

He said there is nothing at night to catch with cameras. Just dogs passing through

[@Mooge-baban]

@@rosamariewanjiru8659 something must have happened at least he must have heard some screaming

[@piuswanyaga8361]

​@@Mooge-baban poor you. You were eager to hear some falsehoods so that you enjoy the show more? What you've heard ni story za Jaba!

[@lilylilian8729]

Mjomba yangu alisema aliona two people wakakimbia wakapotelea kwa makaburi ya babu na nyanyangu

[@hzskillz1721]

This the guy you meet at the beginning of a horror movie😂

[@anthonyonuti8473]

🤣🤣🤣🤦‍♂️

[@lilianweru3]

This man is from my village

[@drurychannel]

How do they treat him. Is there stigma?