Endorois tell State to implement ruling

By KARANJA NJOROGE

The Endorois community has demanded the Government implements the ruling of the African Commission calling for restitution of their ancestral land.

The Endorois Welfare Council said following the passing of the new Constitution, the Government should implement the recommendations without further delay.

The Government had three months to honour the ruling, but after consultation, it was agreed that it should be implemented after the referendum on the new laws," said the Council Chairman Charles Kamuren.

In the landmark ruling in February, the African Commission found the Government guilty of violating the human rights of the Endorois, by evicting them from their land to pave way for creation of Lake Bogoria Game Reserve, between 1974 and 1979.

Compensation

The commission asked the Government to return the land to the Endorois and compensate them within three months.

The Endorois, are a semi nomadic Kalenjin community numbering some 60,000.

Mr Kamuren said the Government should not implement the new laws and fail to honour the ruling. The African Commission also granted the community unrestricted access to Lake Bogoria and surrounding areas.

Speaking during an event the community organised at Kisanana in Mogotio at the weekend, Kamuren said: "The next African Commission meeting is in November and the Government is expected to show its commitment."

　

Executive Secretary Wilson Kipkazi said minority communities would monitor the enactment of the new law, which he added caters for their rights. "For many years, marginalised communities have been fighting for their rights and the new Constitution is an indication that the country has moved forward in handling community rights," he said.