Bondo Residents Up in Arms As Private Developer Attempts to Build Mortuary in Residential Area

Onyatta Community residents from Bondo sub-county have rejected a plan by a private developer to establish a funeral parlor within the residential estate.

The establishment of a mortuary on a plot adjacent to homes of parcel numbers; Beatrice 11116, Lewnard Omuto 1387, Antonina 9844, Ben 8227 and Damian Omolo 9842  has raised critical objections.

The funeral home, by Mr Status Owino Ogola is proposed to be housed in a building that Owino had built for residential purposes.

It’s reported that Owino had changed the design of the residential house to that of a mortuary.

Residents led by Damian Omollo insist that a funeral parlour cannot be accommodated in the residential area.

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“I’m concerned about property values to our homes,” Omollo  said. “We’ve already lost so much value anyway so putting something like this close to us, I mean literally, it’s around the corner from where I live. For me personally, I just don’t particularly like funeral homes. To think they’ve got this place right here, you know moving dead bodies in and out rattles me quite a bit actually.”

Dozens of residents expressed their aversion to living near the mortuary.

One resident called attention to what she called “the haunting factor.”

“People shouldn’t have to live that close to death,” said Omollo. “That’s not why we bought in here. It’s completely revolting to shove this into people’s lives. I would never move next to a mortuary, and if the mortuary was here first, some of us wouldn’t be here.”

“My understanding is it will devalue our property, and that kind of concerns me because the values have taken a cut already,” Omolo said.

In a letter signed by Dominic Musolo and Leonard Omuto, the residents have called on the Siaya County Government to take immediate action and find out whether the National Environmental Authority (NEMA) did their assessment and if the plan was approved by Public Works and Public Health officers.

“Owino’s mission of building a mortuary on an area of 0.11 hectares neighboring homes is ill advised,” read part of the letter.

He never conducted public participation, the size of land leaves no space for parking of vehicles hence it’s going to be a total mess in the neighborhood, lack of functional sewerage system, lack of space for waste disposal.

“The community therefore through your office is advocating for your intervention to stop the project forthwith and if possible advice Mr Owino to redesign and rebuild either a residential home or commercial houses.”

Siaya Director of Public Health Ken Orwenjo says that he was not aware of a private mortuary being developed in Bondo.

“I have not heard reports that a mortuary is being constructed anywhere in Bondo,” said Orwenjo.

However, Mr. Owino dismissed reports that he was establishing a funeral parlour on a plot surrounded by residential houses.

“I have been establishing rental houses and the design is drawn to that effect,” affirmed Mr. Owino to this writer.