Samburu pastoralists who were forcibly evicted from lands in Laikipia
district that were owned by former president Daniel arap Moi are preparing
for their day in court. A judge in Nyere will hear their case on June 7, 8,
and 9.
Cultural Survival has raised funds to support the legal work by Nairobi
lawyer Abraham Korir Sing'oei and to pay travel and lodging expenses so that
Samburu victims and witnesses can participate in the trial. Samburu human
rights worker Richard Leiyagu wrote on behalf of the community: "Thanks for
the understanding and support to this needy and desperate cause. Through this
the community has realized what they thought was impossible. The community
thank you all for the continued support."
See this article in The Daily Nation about the Laikipia court case and
another Samburu community that is fighting their eviction. Note that
although they are called "squatters" in this press report, the Samburu
people regard these lands as ancestral territory where they have lived and
grazed their cattle for centuries.
Joseph Kanyi | NATION Ms Sedaro Lelebaa gives her children milk moments after a meeting with a team of lawyers from Kituo Cha Sheria on Tuesday. The family is part of the 3,000 squatters evicted from Kabarak Farm in Laikipia East last year. They are now living in makeshift tents made of polythene papers and sacks.
