On 17 April, Natural Justice facilitated a biocultural community protocol (BCP) training workshop for the Ogiek Community in Nakuru, Kenya. Lack of recognition of their status as indigenous peoples, an increase in wildlife conservation and development in the region has caused displacement from their traditionally-owned lands. The Community have brought their issues to the African Court on Human and People’s Rights, with the African Court recently providing interim measures to stop the eviction of the Ogiek from the Mau Forest by the Government of Kenya.
The BCP training was attended by a variety of community members including women, youth, elders and the NGO supporting the community. The development of the BCP will complement the Community’s advocacy work within the region and will, amongst other things, highlight the community’s history and customary laws and norms and rights at a local, regional and international level. See here for the interim measures.
