fPcN interCultural:

friends of Peoples close to Nature

Dear all,

It is my hope that one day Sengwer (also referred to as Cherangany or Dorobo) will find peace and live as other Nations that make Kenya a country.

Elders and Leaders from the community have used every opportunity at their disposal to raise fundamental issues affecting the indigenous community since Kenya became a British colony to date, but little has been acheived. For example:- They've presented oral and/or written memoranda in.... 1. 1932 during the Carter Land Commission 2. 1999 boycotted population since until the government gave them census
code number 081 (we are not sure if it wat gazetted or not or we were cheated)
3. 2000 participated in Njonjo Land Commission 4. 2002-2004 participated in Constitution of Kenya Review Commission

Besides, the community has held several meetings with DCs, PCs, MPs, Kenya Human Rights Standing Committee, Cabinet ministers and other top government officials - but, no congrete response. Sweet stories aimed at cooling down tension.

We now want serious dialogue with the government to resolve issue of our ancestral land, right to recognition as a separate ethnic group, representation in parliament, right to employment, right to security, etc.

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::::NEWS FLASH::::
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This evening 15 Sengwer elders whose ancestors/parents were forced to assimilation during colonial time and Cllr Richard Kipkeiyo were arrested by regular police and administrative police officers at the latters home.

The 15 are among landless community members languishing in poverty, oppression and torture within the Pokot community. They coming to settle in the remaining portion of Kapolet forest after failure by the government to continue allocation of landless Sengwer indigenous peoples in Kapolet forest as it promised.

The over 10 police officers in full gear armed with guns led by district administration police officer and deputy officer commanding police division arested the 15 elders and Cllr RK Kipkeiyo who is deputy Mayor of Kapenguria Municipal council. The 16 have been taken to Kapenguria police station in West Pokot.

We call for your assistance and publicity to have them released and the historical injustices affecting Sengwer community addressed to avoid more problems.

More landless community members are now moving towards Kapolet forest for settlement.

We shall be grateful for your assistance

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We hope your esteemed office will be able to help Sengwer an ethnic minority hunter-gatherer indigenous peoples to live as other tribes in Kenya.

Thanks and good wishes

Yours Faithfully,

Mr. David Yator Kiptum
Executive Coordinator
Sengwer Indigenous Development Project
P.O. Box 3894,
KItale 30200
Kenya
0734689958

Region

• East Africa

Tags

• Human Rights