Members of the Ogiek community in Nandi County have renewed calls to the National Government to fast-track their resettlement in their ancestral lands of Serengonik Forest and Kosobei Forest.
Speaking through their representatives, the community said prolonged displacement from the forests has deepened historical injustices against them.
The Ogiek, who are recognized as an indigenous minority group, argue that their eviction, often justified on grounds of environmental conservation and claims of illegal settlement, has opened the door to other interests, including commercial projects, at the expense of their ancestral land rights.
Philip Maiyo, a community leader in Nandi, said the Ogiek have seen their population and livelihoods decline sharply since their removal from Serengonik.
He welcomed the recent engagement with the Head of State at State House, describing it as a sign of goodwill and commitment to addressing long-standing land injustices, formally recognizing the Ogiek as an indigenous people, and safeguarding both their culture and the forests they have traditionally protected.
Maiyo noted that the President pledged to implement rulings by the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which affirm the Ogiek’s right to their ancestral lands and acknowledge their central role in forest conservation after decades of evictions and marginalization.
He added that life in displacement has taken a heavy toll on the community’s welfare. Access to education remains limited, with only a few members managing to attend school, while the majority rely on casual labour to survive.
“Our quality of life has deteriorated significantly. Many of our people have been denied opportunities simply because we lack a permanent place to call home,” Maiyo said.
The Ogiek, who are spread across several regions including Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Narok, Nakuru and Mt Elgon, are also calling for equitable representation in government.
They say having their own representatives in public offices would help amplify their voices and ensure their concerns are addressed like those of other Kenyan communities.
Stephen Biwott another community leader urged the government to hasten the issuance of a community code, terming it critical for formal recognition and access to services.
Another community representative, Pauline Lelmengit, warned that continued displacement is eroding Ogiek culture. She stressed the need for the community to be settled in one area to enable them to hold meetings, preserve their indigenous knowledge, and sustainably manage forests, particularly the use of roots and bark for traditional medicinal purposes.
The community maintains that their resettlement would not only restore their dignity and rights but also strengthen conservation efforts, given their long history as custodians of Kenya’s forest ecosystems.
By Geoffrey Satia & Joseline Chepkorir
