Ogiek community win forced eviction case against Kenya in African Court

The Government has suffered a major blow in its bid to kick out the Ogiek community from the expansive Mau Forest after the African Court ruled it had infringed on their rights. The court yesterday found Kenya had breached its agreement with other African countries of ensuring all persons were treated equally and their rights respected.

In the case filed in 2006, the Ogieks complained that Kenya Forest Service (KFS) officials issued them with notices to vacate the forest without factoring in how this would affect their lives. Court documents show that KFS officers then invaded the forest, destroyed properties and beat up those who resisted evacuation.