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Another Ogiek diaspora
is threatened
by Jennifer Wanjiru, Rights Features Service
(April 3,
2002) Some pockets of the Ogiek community who live in Narok district
in southwestern Kenya are on the verge of eviction from the land
they have resided in for ages.
The threat
was issued by the Narok District Commissioner, a Mr. Kimiywi,
who ordered the Ogiek to vacate their homes in Enoosupukia by
April 8.
The move
has created fear among the Ogiek and they feel they might not
be able to present their views to the Constitution of Kenya Review
Commission, a body that is collecting people's views on a new
constitution.
The plight
of the Ogiek community residing in Narok district is little known
with most of the media coverage centered on the Ogiek of the Mau
Forest. Another Ogiek group resides in Mt Elgon area along the
Kenya-Uganda border.
In a plea
issued today by Saina Sena, the chairman of Ogiek Peoples National
Assembly (OPNA), an umbrella body that brings together different
Ogiek groups and organisations, the body asked the government
to "cease intimidating, harassing and violating human rights of
the Ogiek people."
Sena confirmed
that the provincial administration had " threatened [to] use force"
on the honey-hunting community while The Ogiek Rural Integral
Projects, a local community-based organization he leads, asked
the Ogiek "not to comply with the orders."
"The Narok
District Commissioner and the District Forest Officer have confirmed
that the orders are in place and will be executed. The Commissioner
confirmed to me that the land Ogiek reside and live in is a Trustland
and belongs to the Government," said Sena in his statement.
Although
other Kenyan communities have trustlands allocated to them, the
Ogiek have none, a historical anomaly that has led to the current
tussle for land.
The eviction
orders come in the wake of an agreement by Ogiek organizations
to press for the issuance of a communal title to their lands to
keep away land speculators.
Last week
at East Mau Forest the Ogiek decried the ongoing destruction of
their land vowed to resist the destruction of the forestland.
"Kenya is
undergoing a historic process, reviewing her constitution and
the Ogiek are putting their views known for their ultimate recognition
as a distinct indigenous nation among the many nations in the
Republic of Kenya. If the government continues threatening the
Ogiek people, they will not participate in the review process,
hence a blatant violation of their fundamental rights as enshrined
in the Kenyan Constitution," said Sena.
What you
can do
Call the
Narok District Commissioner: +(254) 305-22385 and ask him to spare
the Ogiek.
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