Nkareta: The government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of minority and marginalised communities, with renewed efforts to recognize groups that have been historically excluded from Kenya's official community listings. Speaking in Nkareta, Narok North, during the 6th Annual Ogiek Cultural Event, Lowoi Josphat Lodeya, Head of the Minority and Marginalized Affairs Unit in the Office of the President, said the Ogiek community and others like them deserve full recognition and protection under the law.
According to Kenya News Agency, the office is dedicated to ensuring that every community in Kenya has a voice and enjoys the freedom to exercise their rights. Lodeya emphasized that the Ogiek are not just a clan but a whole community with a rich culture and a unique role in conserving the forest. He highlighted the government's determination to bring inclusivity, diversity, and equal recognition for all communities.
Lodeya explained that his office is working with Ministries, Commissions, and State Departments to develop policy and legislation that will safeguard the rights of minority groups, noting that Kenya has more than the traditionally cited 42 ethnic communities. Also addressing the media, Namwezi Zitah, Director of Research in the same unit, said inclusivity remains central to President William Ruto's administration under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Zitah stated that the administration aims to promote equity in terms of resources and fairness in opportunities, especially for communities that have been left behind since independence. The event's host, Daniel Kobay, who is also Executive Director of the Ogiek Peoples' Development Programme (OPDP), emphasized the importance of cultural preservation for future generations through music, songs, weddings, and storytelling.
Kobay highlighted the community's close connection to the Mau Forest Complex, describing it as their ancestral home and a vital source of livelihood. The Ogiek, traditionally hunters and gatherers, are renowned beekeepers, linking their survival to forest conservation. "The forest is our supermarket," Kobay said, underscoring its essential role in providing food, medicine, and shelter.
The cultural festival featured performances, traditional ceremonies, and exhibitions aimed at showcasing the Ogiek's heritage while raising awareness about their ongoing struggle for recognition, land rights, and environmental protection.