A three-judge bench has begun hearing a petition in which the Ogiek community has sued the government for evicting them from Mt Elgon Forest. The Ogiek community living in Chepkitale in Mt Elgon Forest says the government erred in evicting them from the land and gazetting it as a national game reserve. He said their livelihoods depend on Mt Elgon Forest, where they farm, keep bees and gather fruit. "In fact, it's a taboo to move Ogieks out of the forest as they will die. Nixon Sifuna, who was representing KFS, said Ogiek's can still engage in beekeeping and other agricultural activities outside the forest.

Source: The Star June 08, 2021 18:56 UTC