NEWS 2013

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Community demands title deed for Mau Forest land

By NATION CORRESPONDENT

A section of Mau Forest. At least 33,000 members of the Ogiek community still living in the Mau Forest Thursday demanded a title deed for the land. PHOTO|FILE. NATION

At least 33,000 members of the Ogiek community still living in the Mau Forest Thursday demanded a title deed for the land.

They argued that lack of evidence of ownership of the land denied them the constitutional right to access the Mau forest complex following the introduction of stringent laws which prohibit people from entering forests to perform traditional rituals.

The Ogiek, who said the forest was their ancestral home, are hunters and gatherers and their culture prohibits the destruction of forests, which they consider sacred.

“This is where our people live and we want full ownership so that we can have long-term developments. This is the land that belonged to our ancestors and it’s ours,” said Mr Daniel Kobei, the Ogiek people’s development agency’s executive director.

To ensure only individuals from the minority group are registered, Mr Kobei said they had joined hands with the Ogiek Council of Elders to identify their members.

He claimed imposters who had travelled from neighbouring counties were pitching tent near the water tower in a bid to be included in the title deed.

“But we know our people and we are using our elders to document the number of people in the area. We have a population of 33,000 who include 11,000 adults.”

He also called on the government to set up a commission to address the Ogieks’ historical economical, social and political injustices.