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Ogiek form national
committee
by John Kamau, Rights Features Service
(March 22,
2001) In a bid to seek a united front, the Ogiek in Kenya have
formed a seven member Ogiek National Steering Committee that will
be in charge of all Ogiek affairs.
The committee
is headed by Ogiek Welfare Council (OWC) chairman Joseph Towett.
In an interview today with Rights Features Service, the OWC spokesperson
said that part of their mandate is to "map the Ogiek territories"
and conduct an Ogiek census.
The steering
committee is composed of two Ogiek leaders from Narok District,
namely Charles Sena and James Kirotie Mebarne; three from Nakuru
District — Towett, Benson Kimbai, and Daniel Tesot; and one
each from Koibaket and Mt. Elgon — Orop Tarigo and Tenderesa
Temoi, respectively.
The steering
committee will spearhead the participation of the community in
the ongoing constitutional reforms that seek to rewrite the country's
constitution.
"We want
the indigenous rights recognized," says Towett.
Another mandate
is to participate in the Njonjo Land Commission that seeks to
redress land problems in Kenya and is currently touring the country
listening to community pleas. The Ogiek have already written a
petition to the Commission.
The committee
will also seek compensation from the government "for the wrongs
done to the community."
All Ogiek
regions have now been asked to prepare memorandums. The move is
the outcome of a seminar held last week by Ogiek nongovernmental
organizations and community-based organizations in Nakuru.
"Another
issue we will look at is on the true history of the Ogiek," said
Towett.
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