Mr. Gitonga Mugambi presided over a meeting of the inter-ministerial committee on the application of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ judgement against the Kenyan government on the rights of the Ogiek Community of Mau
According to the suit, the Ogiek claimed that their rights to life, property, access to natural resources, development, exercise of religion and culture, and non-discrimination have all been violated.
The Kenyan government was mandated by the African Court to recognize the Ogiek as an indigenous tribe.
The Ogiek are one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer tribes in Africa.
The court ruled that the community’s religious practices, language, and culture should all receive full recognition.
The Committee is made up of lawyers from various government agencies, including the National Treasury, Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Office of the Attorney General, and State Department of Forestry.
The Committee, under the direction of Senior State Counsel Mr. Tom Abuta, briefed the PS on the status of the Court decision’s execution, including sustainable management of the water tower.
Mr. Mugambi recommended the Committee to expedite the execution of the decision’s outstanding provisions, arguing that more attention should be paid to the sustainable management of the Mau ecosystem.
