CAJ begins tours Mau Forest on fact-finding mission

The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) and a multi-sectorial committee have begun a fact-finding mission in the Mau ecosystem and forest in Nakuru County with regard to the Ogiek Community,

The aboriginal community has been seeking implementation of the African Court’s decision that the Kenyan government grants the Ogiek people a collective title deed and compensation.

The team led by the CAJ chairperson Florence Kajuju toured sections of the Kaptunga forest in Marishoni for three days as part of a follow-up by the ombudsman on the implementation of the ruling issued on June 23, 2022.

The community through the Executive Director of the Ogiek People’s Development Programme, Daniel Kobei, has been pushing for the implementation of the African Court on Human and People’s Rights’ decision on the protection of the rights of the Ogiek community.

The judgement included an order that the Ogiek be issued with a community title deed and 1.3 million dollars in compensation for historical injustice.

Kobei told the delegation that the community had proposed that the land is distributed as per counties for easy management.

The areas proposed were Nakuru, Baringo, Narok North and South, Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Kericho counties.

Members of the community present at the meeting said that the implementation of the ruling will end squabbles and they will be able to focus on other issues.

The committee heard complaints by the community members on alleged violations of their rights by the government and unwarranted delays in the enactment of the judgment by the African court based in Arusha.

 “Once the court decision is implemented, we will be able to manage our people and avoid land disputes,” said Joseph Lesingo, a member of the Ogiek Council of Elders.

Lesingo also urged the Multi sectorial team not only to collect information but also to follow through to ensure that their plight comes to an end.

Also present during the site visit were KNHCR Chief Executive Officer, Benard Mogesa, National Land Commissioner, Hubbie Al-Haji, Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara and representatives from National Cohesion and Integration Commission and Food and Agricultural Organization for the United Nations (FAO).

On June 23rd 2022, the African Court on Human and People’s Rights ruled that the Kenyan government should compensate the Ogiek.

The Ogiek people who reside in the Mau forest have faced numerous evictions from their ancestral homes, thus their pursuit of justice.