The Maasai DO NOT benefit from natural resources in their midst
Posted by African Press International on May 26, 2007
Posted by Ole Ngais.
Anglo Maasai Treaties has violated our rights to lands and natural resources thus minimizing our chances of surviving any kind of change.
Keeping our nomal lifestyle isn’t either an alternative since we do not own any land neither do we have resources to buy any while our population is expected to rise. The lands were sequestered to British ex servicemen and mobility. There was no compensation for, neither was there restitution after independence. This isviolation of Maasai natural resources and grazing areas for their livestock.We are requesting the president to recognize our plight.
The squatters of Mukogodo reserve is asking the president to give us land. Individual land ownership stimulates responsibility and the need for change and developement. We as the Maasai people shall not here any person telling us to “keep our culture”! This is an abuse and a slap on our face since our static culture is leading us into extinction. Whoever shall continue to advice us on keeping our culture is thus classified as dengerous and out to cause confusion on our already endengered Mukogodo Maasai people.
The land on which Mukogodo people occupy is barren. It has limited chances of supporting our community. It has become over grazed by both goats,sheep, donkeys and cows.This animals die during long droughts and famines since animal markettingis very poor. Our people are living on hand outs and relief food. It is a shame to our government when Maasai culture is as valiable to tourist department as any other resource.
Environmental rights.
. The Maasai do not benefit from their natural resources in their midst.
Right to equality. Our culture is vital but it is dying out at an alarming rate It is almost only practised for tourist entertainment.
It is necesary that harmful practises like FGM that destroy the future of our children must be officially redresses.
Our daughters and sisters are systematically put into danger because of female circumcission. FGM should be eradicated with immidiate effect.
Young men and women are saying NO to FGM neither people like The speaker of the national assembly, Ole Kaparo, who comes from the area is upporting FGM. But he is”NON-Partisan” thus not doing anything to help us.
Recommendation
The Anglo-maasai treaties that led to the lost of land and natural resources such as The white highlands violates our social economic rights hence we dont benefit from resources within our jurisdiction. The government should also consider the ratifications of international convention that observe
the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities i.e. the UN draft declaration on the rights of
indigenous peoples and ratify the ILO convention 169(108) on rights of indigenous peoples.
In case of impossibilities to return lost land to Maasai then restitution and compensation
should be mandatory.
Private companies that are operating with pastoralist areas must create employments opportunities to locals. The game park and privately own huge lands sorrounding Mukogodo shall contribute to our survival.
Training, health and infrastructures in pastoral areas should also be equipped like other. HIV virus is spreading fast and can be a disarster in 10 years time if nothing is done to stop the spread.
Resources fetched from Mukogodo like sand and livestock must be rightfully valued.
We a’re asking the president to imposse high taxes for these ranches in order to finance our survival. They have gained from our ignorance for a centuary now but we are now saying STOP!
All agreement to be entered 80% of the community members must be consulted. The Maasai’s Laikipia can diappear from the survace of this earth if the government doe not consider thieir plight as genuine.
Published by African Press in NorwayAPN / African Press International, API, africanpress@chello.no
