Members of the Ogiek community in Nakuru County have opposed the move by Government to commence the boundary demarcation process in Mau East Complex.
They argue that the process is a total contravention of their rights as a community following the Arusha landmark ruling that recognized them as the indigenous peoples whose ancestral land as hunters and gatherers is within the forest.
Despite the government stating that it wants to restore land ownership rights to the residents and end perennial land conflicts in affected areas, the Ogiek Community say the move is real sense contravention of their rights as indigenous peoples.
It should be noted that the government in Friday launched the survey process towards boundary demarcation in the same, in an event held at Nessuit Centre in Njoro and attended by among others Njoro MP Charity Kathambi, Deputy County Commissioners for Njoro and Molo Sub counties
However, the members of the Ogiek Community now say the exercise is ill advised.
Addressing press at Nessuit centre just after the government’s meeting, the irate members of the Ogiek Community told off the government over the move.
According to them, the Arusha Landmark ruling of 2017 was very clear concerning the rights of Ogiek Community as indigenous people.
That the Arusha Landmark ruling recognized the Ogiek as having their ancestral land in the Mau Forest which is a community land.
Led by elder John Sironga, the Ogiek Community argues that it was wrong for government to go ahead and implement Justice Mutunga’s ruling on boundary demarcation process yet neglecting the Arusha landmark ruling that paved way for community land for Ogiek.
“We are not part of this process because it fails to consider the rights of Ogiek as indigenous peoples whose ancestral land is Mau Forest. Let the Government implement the Arusha landmark ruling before they comence anything here,” stated Sironga.
He questioned the move being taken by government without involving the Ogiek Community.
Sentiments echoed by Sarah Osasi from Ogiek Council of Elders representing the women.
According to her, government is playing politics with the issue of Mau complex by failing to implement the Arusha landmark ruling.
She told off President William for failing to address the issue that has become the thorn in lives of Ogiek Peoples.
Sarah attributed their suffering to lack of representation in government since the death of nominated Senator Prengei.
According to her, currently the community has no representative in government from MCA, MP, Governor or even Cabinet Secretary, leaving the members in destitute.
“As Ogiek, we have no single representative in government of the day and that is why some individuals have been misleading the government when it comes to the issues of Ogiek community,” she said.
