A lobby has petitioned Attorney General Justin Muturi to order the suspension of the ongoing evictions in the Mau forest.
The Community Land Action Now (CLAN) which brings together 55 network members of the Ogiek community told Muturi to use his powers to advise the government so that the rule of law that recognizes the rights of the Ogiek community Mau is adhered to.
“We make this intervention because of the mandate of the Attorney General’s office as per the constitution of Kenya 2010,” a statement signed by the group’s executive chair Isaac Tobiko reads.
The evictions happening at Sasimwani village Narok are said to be carried out by the Kenyan security agencies led by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) assisted by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
According to CLAN, the Mau ecosystem has not been destroyed by the Ogiek community, but by external actors and should not be mistaken for the Ogieks living in the forest.
“It has severally been concluded by investigations including the Mau Task Force 2009 that KFS and its predecessor Forest Department and other unscrupulous officials have been among the biggest destructors of Mau Forest,” the statement reads.
Noting the Ogieks of Mau have continued to suffer persecution by both the colonial and independent governments to date, Tobiko called for the registration of their community lands.
The registration of the community lands should be done through legally recognized means that include the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the Community Land Act 2016.
“In addition, the Mau Ogiek has made it repeatedly clear to task forces including in 2019, that they do not seek alienable title. Nor will their settlement areas extend beyond present-day limits,” he added.
CLAN also called for an urgent implementation of Mau Ogiek’s court case and the historical land injustices by the National Land Commission (NLC).
Other demands it wants to be honoured include payment of Sh157.85 million as collective compensation for material and moral damages suffered and the establishment of a community development fund within one year of the judgment for the benefit of the Ogiek people as a repository for the compensation awarded.
It has further asked the State to coordinate the establishment of a committee to oversee the community development fund, which must include representatives chosen by the Ogiek and be operationalized within one year of the judgment.
“Submit a report on the status of implementation of the reparation’s judgment within one year of the judgment,” the statement reads.