The European Union has suspended its support for Sh3.6 billion water tower project in Mt Elgon and Cherangany hills to protest abuse of human rights against indigenous communities.
This comes hours after the KNHRC, National Coalition for Human Rights Defenders, Amnesty International and Katiba Institute called on EU to suspend the project following the Tuesday evening killing of a member of Sengwer and continued harassment of the community residing inside Embobut forest in Cherangany where the project is being implemented.
"Tuesday's shooting took place after we had formally alerted the Kenya government that use of force by Kenya Forest Service guards in Embobut forest or elsewhere against innocent locals would lead the EU to suspend its financial support for conservation work on the country's water towers," EU Ambassador to Kenya Stefano Dejak said.
"We are now suspending the support to the Water Towers Programme with the Government of Kenya," he added.
Sengwer
is an indigenous community that has been residing in Embobut forest since colonial days.
The community has battled over 13 evictions since January 2014 with the latest recorded attempts being on December 29 last year and January 17.
The evictions are being carried out despite a High Court injunction, pending the hearing of a challenge to the legality of the January 2014 mass evictions.
He
said EU delegation to Kenya will continue to work closely with the Government, governors and other concerned authorities to ensurea full respect of the rights of indigenous peoples in the area and will engage to bring forward the agreed means of local consultations, dialogue and investigations.
Launched in June 2016, the programme has provided technical support and funding to the national government, counties and several government agencies.