Herbalism; the Ogiek art of saving lives and conserving forests In the last few years, Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program (OPDP), has been spearheading the Ogiek community in culture preservation and development. With support from the Global Environmental Facility Small Grants Program (SGP) OPDP is implementing a biodiversity conservation project: Conserving biodiversity through preserving Ogiek Traditional […]
CBI 5 members during the workshop SECURING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES LAND AND TERRITORIAL RIGHTS IN AFRICA The International Land Coalition (ILC) is a global membership network whose main objective is to attain people-centred land governance through its 10 commitment priority areas of focus known as Commitment Based Initiatives (CBIs). One of these areas of focus is […]
In a bid to fulfil Sustainable Development Goal 7 on Clean and Affordable Energy, Kenya is working towards utilization of 100% renewable energy supply by 2030. This energy will mainly be generated from windmills, biomass, solar, hydropower and geothermal plants. This has led to an increase in the number of renewable energy development projects set […]
Many of Ogiek youth are yet to establish careers in either formal or informal sector due to limited access to information and resources. This is despite of being part of generation regarded as crucial to driving the development agenda in Kenya. The present government has prioritized food security, manufacturing, affordable housing and universal health as […]
For the first time, members of Ogiek community participated in commemorating this year’s International National Museums Day at the Hyrax Museum Hill in Nakuru, Kenya. The May 17,2019 event, selected 17 Ogiek were given the opportunity to exhibit the cultural artifacts including tools they used for hunting such as kotyek(arrows) and beekeeping namely mwenget(beehive), motoget(honeybag) and gesungut(honeystore). They were among […]
On May 26,2019, Ogiek celebrated 2nd Anniversary of their historic win of land rights case against Government of Kenya at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Court) in Arusha, Tanzania. The ruling made on May 26,2017 pronounced their rights to their ancestral land in Mau and affirmed their indigeneity whose identity should be recognized […]
The end of July 2020 saw ethnic clashes from Narok County in Olpusmoru spilling over to Nakuru county affecting Mariashoni in Molo sub-county and Nessuit in Njoro sub-county. Lasting for almost a week, these clashes left 12 people dead, over 100 injured and over 200 houses burnt. On 4th August Rift Valley Regional Commissioner, Mr. George […]
During the months of July and August 2020, Ogiek Youth Council (OYC) in partnership with VIVA Girls, has been running a program aimed at mentoring Ogiek adolescent girls. This program was able to reach over 200 girls in Mariashoni, Nessuit- Nakuru County, and Kesses location- Uasin Gishu County. The theme for this program was “Effects […]
On August 23,2019,Ogiek will be holding the 4th Annual Ogiek Cultural Day at Maasai Girls Secondary School in Narok,Narok County. The event themed “My Culture,My Language is My Identity” will be attended by varying communities, both national and county government officials and human rights advocates. The Ogiek will be exhibiting their traditions through songs,skits,poems and cultural artifacts.It […]
“When a language disappears, community’s identity and culture are lost” this was the message arched to during the Ogiek folktale contest award ceremony which was in line with the celebration of International Mother Language Day.Language is the most powerful tool that keeps people connected to their culture and identity.This year’s International Mother Language Day theme […]