Why the Ogiek Community members are back in Arusha Human Rights Court

It has been 8 years since the Arusha landmark ruling.

The Arusha landmark ruling of May 26, 2017 which is ruling by the African Court on Human and People’s Rights in Arusha, Tanzania found the Kenyan government in violation of the rights of the rights of the Ogiek.

A clergy leads prayers at Mariashoni grounds in Molo on May 26, 2025 as members of the Ogiek community commemorated Arusha Landmark ruling.PHOTO/PRISTONE MAMBILI

Specifically, the court ruled that the Kenyan government had violated the Ogiek community’s rights to life, property, natural resources, development, religion, and culture, as guaranteed by the African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The court ruled that the government of Kenya should move to ensure a communal land for the Ogiek community who traces their ancestral land in Mau Forest.

A section of Ogiek Community members during a meeting at Mariashoni, Nakuru.PHOTO/PRISTONE MAMBILI.

The court ordered the Kenyan government to grant a collective title to the Ogiek ancestral land.

The court also ordered Kenya to compensate the Ogiek community for material and moral damages.
This ruling was a result of an eight-year legal battle by the Ogiek community against the Kenyan government.
Ogiek Peoples Development Program Director Daniel Kobei addressing during the 2025 commemoration of Arusha Landmark ruling.PHOTO/PRISTONE MAMBILI

Despite the East Africa Court on Human Rights making the ruling, the Kenyan Government has continued to derail implementation of the same.

It is for this reason that on Wednesday June 4, 2025, the Ogiek Community are back in court.

This time round, for a hearing on the progress made by Kenyan Government in implementation of the Landmark Ruling.

“We have a date with Kenyan Government at the Arusha Court on June 4, 2025 to understand where the government has reached in terms of implementation of the Arusha Landmark ruling,” stated Daniel Kobei, the Executive Director Ogiek Peoples Development Program.