Baringo: Members from minority and marginalised communities in Baringo County have expressed optimism that existing historical land injustices of over six decades will be sorted out soon. This is after the national government through the executive office of the president embarked on an exercise to address some of their plights.
According to Kenya News Agency, representatives from the Talai, Torobeek, Illchamus, Endorois, and Nubian communities voiced their hopes during a public participation forum on the National draft policy on ethnic minorities and marginalised communities at the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) in Marigat. They believe this initiative presents a perfect opportunity to receive assistance on issues they have been seeking redress for over decades in vain.
The national secretary of the Torobeek community association of Kenya, Dr. Benjamin Kipkulei, expressed gratitude toward President William Ruto's government for developing a comprehensive policy and laws aimed at ensuring inclusivity and responsiveness to the needs and aspirations of ethnic minorities and marginalised communities. Kipkulei highlighted the significance of this initiative, especially for his community, who were forcefully evicted and displaced during the colonial period from their original home in the Tugen Hills Forest in Baringo County.
Stephen Chelelgo, from the Endorois community, echoed Kipkulei's sentiments. The Endorois were forcefully evicted from their ancestral lands around Lake Bogoria by the Kenyan government between 1973 and 1986 to create a game reserve and national park. Chelelgo noted that their past petitions to various organisations and government agencies have been unsuccessful, but they are now hopeful that the creation of a unit to address historical grievances, along with the collection of their views, will finally resolve their issues.
Former Baringo East Member of Parliament (MP) Joseph Lotodo, representing the marginalised Pokot community in Tiaty constituency, urged both levels of government and other stakeholders to prioritise the area in terms of development and infrastructure. He believes this will improve living standards and help end cattle rustling and banditry. Lotodo suggested that minimal resources have been allocated to the region because the community is often recognised as part of the wider Kalenjin community. He recommended their own code for better understanding and planning interventions and policies.
Commissioner at the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), Caroline Lentupuru, assured residents that their views would be included in the draft policy, which is expected to proceed to the cabinet before becoming law. She encouraged those who missed the public participation exercise to submit a memorandum to the Minorities and Marginalised Affairs Unit (MMAU) by October 27. Lentupuru promised that her organisation would return to the grassroots to monitor the policy's implementation once ratified.