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18 Jun '07
Ogiek Elder Murdered

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18 Jun '07
Ogiek Elder Murdered

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21 May '07
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

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17 Mar 2007
	Ogiek in Mt. Elgon suffering

		The more than five thousand Ogiek in Mt. Elgon area in Kenya are going without food and shelter after violent tribal clashes with the majority Saboat community. So far, 11 have been killed, schools have been closed and families are spending the night in the cold. They are urgently appealing for food, warm clothing and pressure on the government to intervene in the land dispute in Chepyuk Settlemnt scheme. For more information, please contact Yator Kiptum, Email: sengwer.idp@multitechweb.com

		OGIEK INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF MOUNT ELGON, KENYA. VICTIMS OF ONGOING LAND CLASHES Ogiek Indigenous Peoples of Mount Elgon living in Chepyuk settlement scheme in Mount Elgon District, Western Province – Kenya are the current victims of land clashes in the region. The Ogiek of Mount Elgon live in Chepyuk settlement scheme phase I and II; and, Chepkitale Indigenous Forests. Chepyuk (phase I to II) is approx’ 25000 acres, while Chepkitale forests is over 80000 acres. The Ogiek live in Chepyuk and Chepkitale although the latter is considered government forest. The population of Ogiek Indigenous Peoples in Mount is approximately 5000. It should be noted that these clashes started late last year sometime before the visit of UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples. As a result of the situation, Ogiek community in Mount Elgon sent one of their own to Kitale to present a memorandum on 10th December 2006. Chepyuk settlement scheme was started by the government with an intention of settling members of Ogiek Indigenous Peoples who continued to live in Chepkitale Indigenous Forest on the foot of Mount Elgon. The Cause When settling the landless in Chepyuk Phase I and II, some members of Pok community were able be settled alongside the Ogiek in the two phases. Chepyuk is part of Ogiek ancestral lands that was set aside by the government to settle the Ogiek. The problem started when the government moved in to finish settling the community members in the remaining Chepyuk phase III. At this point the Pok community wanted to ensure that none of Ogiek landless community members are settled in Phase III. Pok, mainly referred to as Sabaot , is one of the powerful tribes in Mount Elgon district with influential and political leaders. The resistance by the Ogiek community forced some of the Pok leadership to form Sabaot Land Defence Force that claims to have defence of over 35000 youths. Some of the members of SLDF are armed with AK 47 Rifles. SLDF has been terrorizing members of Ogiek community – burning their houses, destroying property, raping and killing. The plan to lock out the Ogiek from settling in their own ancestral territory by an outsider led to the clashes that have continued hitherto. Ogiek protested against the move, hence the Pok had to use force by starting to burn houses and property belonging to members of Ogiek community. The area Member of Parliament Hon. Serut has become the enemy of the majority and powerful people in the district for trying to resolve amicably the conflict between Ogiek Indigenous Peoples and the Pok. Hon. Serut is accused for supporting the Ogiek. He’s not supporting the Ogiek, but he wants to be neutral and resolve the problem by being non-partisan. The Clashes The land clashes has led to:- The whole population of 5000 have been displaced from Chepyuk Loss of life by the Ogiek community. 11 people have since been killed Loss property and houses burnt. Didn’t have time to harvest their farm produce 5 primary schools closed Current situation of Ogiek The 5000 displaced community members:- live and hide in Chepkitale forest with all the cold have no food even to feed the young and old have no medical attention have no shelter have nothing to cover themselves from cold at night have got no security to protect them from frequent attacks from SLDF REQUEST FOR YOUR MORAL, TECHNICAL and FINANCIAL SUPPORT Ogiek Request to the Kenya Government To recognize the right of Ogiek Indigenous Peoples to settle in Chepkitale by:- Re-opening and deploying teachers to Lapot Primary school for the affected pupils to continue with learning Re-opening and equipping Lapot Dispensary to help the sick community members access medical attention Re-opening Lapot police post to provide security in the area. The Ogiek Indigenous Peoples request the government to:- Nullify allocation of the whole of Chepyuk Settlement Scheme (phase I-III) Establish a vetting committee to be based in Chepkitale once peace is restored to vet genuine beneficiaries of Chepyuk. Arrest all those supporting SLDF Ogiek Indigenous Peoples of Mount Elgon request you to help where you can.

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