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The Ogiek community, an indigenous group of hunter-gatherers who have lived in the Mau forest complex and other areas in Kenya for centuries, are facing an uncertain future as they await the implementation of a landmark ruling by the African Court on Human and People's Rights.
The court, in 2017, ordered the Kenyan government to recognize the Ogiek's rights to their ancestral lands and to compensate them for the damages caused by their eviction and marginalization. The court also urged the government to involve the Ogiek in the conservation and management of the forest resources, in accordance with their traditional knowledge and practices.
However, four years after the ruling, the Ogiek are still in limbo, as the government has not fully complied with the court's orders. The Ogiek have faced repeated evictions, harassment, and discrimination from the authorities and other communities, who view them as encroachers and destroyers of the forest.
The Ogiek, on the other hand, claim that they have a symbiotic relationship with the forest, and that they have been protecting and preserving it for generations. They argue that they have a right to live in and use the forest resources, as well as to practice their culture and identity.
The Ogiek have received support from many NGOs and human rights groups, who have advocated for their cause and raised awareness about their plight. They have also appealed to the African Union and the United Nations to intervene and ensure that the court's ruling is respected and implemented.
The Ogiek hope that the Kenyan government will finally grant them justice and allow them to return to their ancestral lands, under a strict contract that will ensure the sustainable and equitable management of the forest resources. They also hope that their rights and dignity will be respected and that they will be able to contribute to the development and peace of the country.