After the death of Cardinal Otunga on 6th September 2003, he was buried in the St. Austin’s Cemetery where the other priests and missionaries of the Archdiocese of Nairobi are buried. Two years after his death, Fr. Santoro asked his successor Archbishop Raphael Ndingi the permission to build in the Resurrection Garden a memorial Chapel for Cardinal Otunga and where they would transfer the remains of the Cardinal. Archbishop Ndingi told Fr. Santoro to wait until he would consult the senate of the Archdiocese. In fact, after a short time, he was given the permission to go ahead with the project.
With the approval of the Cardinal’s family members, as well as the permission of both civil and ecclesiastical authorities, the mortal remains of Cardinal Otunga at St. Austin’s Cemetery were exhumed on 19 August 2005. A few days later, these were solemnly re-interred in the Memorial Chapel at Resurrection Garden.
Every day of the year, small groups of people visit the Memorial Chapel and privately pray next to the tomb of Cardinal Otunga. Every weekend and during holidays, big crowds do the same. Some would write on the memorial book a statement of gratitude to the Cardinal for graces received and favors bestowed on them, their families and friends. Several pilgrims write notes of appreciation for his life, ministry, intercessory power, and witness to the life, death and passion of Jesus.
In this chapel is especially celebrated a mass every Wednesday at 5 pm where all the intentions of the pilgrims are offered and the souls of the Servant of God together with Fr. Santoro are prayed for.