Scouts in deal to maintain Powell’s grave in Nyeri
The entrance to the historical Baden Powell’s cemetery. Nyeri stands to lose its heritage unless authorities stop the vandalism of its world-famous scouts monuments. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Nyeri County Scouts Commissioner Francis Kanyi said the county government had committed itself to support the restoration of the monument.
- The grave of the founder of the World’s Scouts movement Baden Powell is situated in the cemetery, which is near the St Peter’s ACK church.
- Other graves affected included one of Major-General Henry Temple, who served as a commander of Indian Army and died in 1960.
- Old pieces of mattresses and torn clothes were strewn on the top of the grave.
The county government of Nyeri will partner with the Kenya Scouts Association to maintain the historical Baden Powell’s cemetery situated in Nyeri Town.
In an interview with the Nation on Monday, Nyeri County Scouts Commissioner Francis Kanyi said the county government had committed itself to support the restoration of the monument.
“The county is willing to partner with KSA in the maintaining the cemetery,” he said.
The grave of the founder of the World’s Scouts movement Baden Powell is situated in the cemetery, which is near the St Peter’s ACK church.
A visit by the Nation team to the cemetery last month revealed that most of the epitaphs had been vandalised, leaving the once well-built commonwealth graves in a dilapidated state.
Other graves affected included one of Major-General Henry Temple, who served as a commander of the Indian Army and died in 1960.
The graveyard had been turned into a sleeping area.
Old pieces of mattresses and torn clothes were strewn on the top of the grave.
Likewise, a small gate leading to Baden Powell’s grave, which was once made of metal, had been replaced with a wooden one after the previous one was vandalised by scrap metal dealers.
The site is a key tourist attraction.
