Responding to evictions of Sengwer people by Kenya Forest Service during 2017 end of year holidays and secure the tenure rights of customary forest dwelling communities in Kenya through advocacy at the national and European Union levels - Rights + Resources - Supporting Forest Tenure, Policy, and Market Reforms

Country:

Kenya

Date:

2018

Implementor:

Forest Peoples Programme (FPP)

Funding Amount:

64,919

Details:

Local advocacy activities were bolstered by national and international advocacy, including the Amnesty International report launch in May 2018 and related press. Local and international outcry at the 2017 Christmas Day evictions, coupled with FPP’s ongoing direct engagement with the EU led to the its suspension and review of its WaTER Programme and funding of the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). This contributed to the firing of the director of the KFS and the demotion of the local officer responsible for the evictions. Furthermore, the EU has agreed to continue with the project suspension until it is restructured with a human rights approach.

The Ogiek and the Sengwer groups made significant advances in mapping and registering lands, as well as applying for land titles. There is momentum behind the creation of a Bungoma County Forest Act which would address the issues of community land titles.