This archive report was first published on 15 August 2019.
Robert Mwania: From Cremating 9,000 Bodies to Seeking Burial ¶
Published on August 15, 2019
Robert Mwania, a Kenyan man who has spent 22 years cremating bodies at Kariokor, now seeks burial, citing a change of heart.
According to Mwania, he started working at Kariokor in 1997, after being referred to the job by a friend. He had no idea what the job entailed until he was given his first body to cremate.
"When I first started, I had no idea what I was getting into," Mwania said in an interview with TUKO.co.ke. "My friend had referred me to the job, and I had no idea what the job entailed until I was given my first body to cremate."
As he continued to work at Kariokor, Mwania became accustomed to the job and even began to take pride in his work. He would often joke with his colleagues about the number of bodies he had cremated, and even taught his son how to do the job.
However, Mwania's views on cremation began to change after he was exposed to the harsh realities of the job. He recalled one particularly traumatic experience where he was forced to watch as a body was cremated in front of him.
"I was standing about 7 meters away from the fire, and I was so scared," Mwania said. "I couldn't sleep that night, and I had nightmares for weeks afterwards."
Despite the trauma he experienced, Mwania continued to work at Kariokor, eventually cremating over 9,000 bodies. However, he now says that he regrets his decision and wishes he had been buried instead.
"I wish I had been buried instead of cremated," Mwania said. "I think it would have been a more dignified way to go."
As for his future plans, Mwania says that he hopes to be buried in a cemetery, surrounded by his loved ones.
"I hope to be buried in a cemetery, surrounded by my family and friends," Mwania said. "I think it would be a more peaceful way to go."
