International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples: Kenyans urged to report cases of land injustices

SAMBURU,Kenya,Aug, 9 – Kenya joined the rest of the world in commemorating the international day of the world’s Indigenous peoples, this year’s theme being:“Leaving no one behind: Indigenous peoples and the call for a new social contract.

The day was commemorated in Archer’s post Samburu county with communities and organizations across the country calling on the government to step up efforts in the registration of community land in Kenya.

Communities drawn from 14 counties in Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASAL) expressed concern of bearing the brunt of poor governance if their communal land is not registered in accordance with the Community Land Act 2016.

“Indigenous communities were lagging behind in the registration process and are likely to be locked out in the compensation by national government mega projects such as the LAPSSET.” said Executive Director Samburu Women Trust Jane Meriwas.

Meriwas during an event at Umoja Cultural Manyatta in Archer’s post said that there is need to sensitize communities especially women and vulnerable members of society since they stand to benefit from the process.

Meanwhile NLC commissioner Tiya Galgalo called on indenienous communities to submit complaints related to land injustices in order to get justice.

“We are welcoming land complaints dating back to the onset of colonization and communities have until September 21 to do so. NLC will from this week start a tour of the counties to sensitize the communities on the need to file their complaints. ” said Galgalo.

At least 700 complaints of land injustices have been filed at the land commission this year.

Communities in Northern Kenya are among those said to have not adequately reported cases of land injustices.

Meanwhile communities in ASAL counties have been urged to shun violence and foster peaceful co-existence in order to spur growth and development.

Women and children are said to be the most affected in communities in Northern Kenya and parts of Rift Valley where cases of violence as a result of land disputes have been reported.

An similar event set to under the banner of Indigenous Women Assembly will be held soon to discuss some other challenges facing nomadic communities while at the same time providing mitigating solutions to cases of perennial violence.