Waziri Mayai Wa Maradhi
JF-Expert Member
- Jan 28, 2026
- 409
- 98
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) recently released a report that details how local commercial operations marginalize the indigenous community. The "The Voice from the Land" report details the experiences of indigenous populations in 13 counties and emphasizes how government policies and corporate operations have impacted their rights.
For the Ogiek community in Mariashoni, Nakuru County, the report has laid bare how the businesses set up in their community lands have not benefited the members
According to Stephen Lele, an Ogiek community member from Mariashoni, the locals have long been marginalized while outsiders profit from the Mau Forest's riches. "Despite using our infrastructure, such as roads, sawmillers come into the forest to fell trees and bring labor from other communities, and the community hardly benefits from these businesses," he claims. Lelei continues, "The community is also waiting for the government to respect the historic decision on Ogiek land rights made by the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights in Arusha, Tanzania."
“In the landmark legal battle concerning the rights of the indigenous Ogiek community to their ancestral land in Kenya's Mau Forest, the court ruled that the Kenyan government violated several rights of the Ogiek, including rights to property, culture and non-discrimination. If the government honours this ruling, we will be able to negotiate better with investors and benefit from our lands,” Lele explains.
Speaking at the report's Nakuru unveiling, KNCHR chairperson Claris Ogangah stated that the public investigation started in 2024 in response to multiple complaints from indigenous people about how commercial companies affected their land and means of subsistence.
"The commission visited 13 counties where indigenous communities reside and documented issues such as lack of consultation before businesses began operations, limited employment opportunities for local residents and barriers to land ownership,"Ogangah notes
Among the key recommendations in the report is the full implementation of the Community Land Act, which allows communities to register land collectively.
According to Ogangah, securing community land titles will enable indigenous groups to negotiate fairly with investors and ensure development projects respect their rights.
For the Ogiek community in Nakuru, the report signals a renewed push for recognition, justice and inclusion in decisions affecting the land they have protected for generations.
Source: Nakuru Mtaa Wangu
For the Ogiek community in Mariashoni, Nakuru County, the report has laid bare how the businesses set up in their community lands have not benefited the members
According to Stephen Lele, an Ogiek community member from Mariashoni, the locals have long been marginalized while outsiders profit from the Mau Forest's riches. "Despite using our infrastructure, such as roads, sawmillers come into the forest to fell trees and bring labor from other communities, and the community hardly benefits from these businesses," he claims. Lelei continues, "The community is also waiting for the government to respect the historic decision on Ogiek land rights made by the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights in Arusha, Tanzania."
“In the landmark legal battle concerning the rights of the indigenous Ogiek community to their ancestral land in Kenya's Mau Forest, the court ruled that the Kenyan government violated several rights of the Ogiek, including rights to property, culture and non-discrimination. If the government honours this ruling, we will be able to negotiate better with investors and benefit from our lands,” Lele explains.
Speaking at the report's Nakuru unveiling, KNCHR chairperson Claris Ogangah stated that the public investigation started in 2024 in response to multiple complaints from indigenous people about how commercial companies affected their land and means of subsistence.
"The commission visited 13 counties where indigenous communities reside and documented issues such as lack of consultation before businesses began operations, limited employment opportunities for local residents and barriers to land ownership,"Ogangah notes
Among the key recommendations in the report is the full implementation of the Community Land Act, which allows communities to register land collectively.
According to Ogangah, securing community land titles will enable indigenous groups to negotiate fairly with investors and ensure development projects respect their rights.
For the Ogiek community in Nakuru, the report signals a renewed push for recognition, justice and inclusion in decisions affecting the land they have protected for generations.
Source: Nakuru Mtaa Wangu