Dear All, Greetings. The situation of Ogiek Indigenous Peoples who are the current victims of land clashes is getting worse. The death toll is increasing. The number of the dead has risen to over 20 after a pregnant woman died yesterday after failing to get medical attention. The body of the deceased has been taken to Kitale mortury. The Sabaot Land Defence Force have continued to burnt houses and property of the Ogiek Indigenous Peoples. The Ogiek houses in Tingwalia, Cheptoror, Kopukwo, Kewapkoi, Kebe, Kapsongom and Simotwet villages have been burnt.

The Ogiek Indigenous Peoples of Mount Elgon now hiding/living in Chepkitale forest are requesting the international community to pressurise Kenya government to:-

a - arrest those behind the Sabaot Land Defence Force and restore peace in Mount Elgon
b - recognise the right of Ogiek Indigenous Peoples to settle in Chepkitale forest for this is part of their ancestral lands
c - nullify allocation and settlement of the whole of Chepyuk settlement scheme until when peace has been restored and the rights of Ogiek recognised as the ancestral owner of Chepyuk and not Pok nor Kony nor Sebei nor Sabaot in that matter.
d - Re-open Lapot primary school and deploy teachers to help school going children continue their education in the forest.
e - Re-open and Equip Lapot dispensary to help the sick access medical attention
f - Re-open Lapot police post and increase the number of police officers
g - Recruit and arm members of Ogiek Indigenous Peoples as Kenya Police Reservist to work hand in hand with the police to restore security in the area

Besides, the Ogiek Indigenous Peoples of Mount Elgon are requesting for well wishers to help to publize the situation to have pressure mounted on Kenya government and financial support to help purchase clothing, medicine, food, etc for the displaced community members hiding in Chepkitale forests.

Ogiek Peoples Development Programme, Chepkitale Indigenous Development Programme, Hunter-Gatherers Forum and Sengwer Indigenous Development Project are working closely together to find possible ways of helping the displaced families - children, women and the elderly are the most affected. Besides, they are exploiting opportunities to reconcile the communities.

We request for your humane support

Good wishes

Regards

Yator Kiptum
Sengwer Indigenous Development Project/
Chairman - Hunter-Gatherers Forum
see also: http://www.ogiek.org