Samburu families who are suing Kenya’s former president Daniel arap Moi celebrated a small but significant victory in a Kenyan courtroom May 12, when their lawyers persuaded a high court judge to allow them more time to prepare their case. The Samburu families were forcibly evicted from a property owned by the former president and their homes were burned to the ground. The African Wildlife Foundation reportedly was in the process of purchasing the property to develop a “community conservation” project.
The Samburu people’s lawyer, Abraham Korir Sing’oei, was joined in court by the well-known constitutional lawyer Yash Pal Ghai. The Star newspaper quoted Professor Ghia explaining that, “For the general public interest, I can be able to help the court to interpret the law without taking sides but ensure that it is properly applied. I will later give my submissions to the court.”
On behalf of the Samburu people, Richard Leiyagu said it was “a great and refreshing day for the poor Laikipia East Samburu community in the struggle for justice.” The next court hearing was scheduled for June 8 and 9 in Nyeri. The UK’s Channel 4 television is soon expected to air a documentary film that chronicles the eviction case as an example of how conservation programs can have negative impacts on Indigenous Peoples.
Cultural Survival raised funds for transportation and lodging so that the evicted families and witnesses can testify at the trial. Mr. Leiyagu wrote, “The community thanks you so much for the timely assistance. The success just achieved [in the May 12 hearing] could not have been possible without such support.” Our investigative report on police violence against the Samburu people is posted HERE.
