Nairobi: At least 1,500 members of the Ogiek community have decried decades of unresolved colonial era land injustices and urged the government to expedite redress, saying continued displacement from their ancestral land has condemned generations to social and economic deprivation.
According to Kenya News Agency, community members gathered at the Kericho Tea Hotel to recount how British colonial authorities allegedly forced their ancestors out of their traditional settlements, destroyed homes, confiscated livestock, and scattered families across different parts of the country. They emphasized that this displacement deprived them of their land and denied subsequent generations access to education, stable livelihoods, and opportunities for economic advancement.
Paul Kitur, one of the community members, expressed the enduring pain experienced by the community, noting that many families still live without land despite their historical ties to the areas they once occupied. He urged the government to recognize the Ogiek community’s historical ownership of parts of the former African Highlands, emphasizing the availability of evidence demonstrating their longstanding attachment to the land.
Sarah Koskei, a member of the Kipsigis Ogiek community, stated that the meeting was convened to seek justice for families who have remained landless for decades. She recounted stories passed down from their parents about life in specific settlements before colonial displacement and highlighted the continued lack of permanent settlement for members of the Changkelek group.
David Rono and Alice Koskei reiterated the ongoing struggles faced by the Ogiek community due to the loss of their ancestral lands. They appealed to the government to recognize their historical ties and assist in regaining the land where their ancestors lived. Alice Chelangat further described the temporary and challenging living conditions for many families, urging for government intervention and peaceful coexistence with neighboring communities.
The Ogiek community’s appeal to the government focuses on addressing historical land injustices through dialogue, recognition of ancestral land rights, and measures aimed at restoring the dignity and livelihoods of affected families.
