Home » Space of organized inhabitants » Evictions » Maasai geothermal project expansion cause of violent evictions

Mostra/Nascondi il menu

Maasai geothermal project expansion cause of violent evictions

Title of entry:
Maasai geothermal project expansion cause of violent evictions
Type of eviction:
Land tenure irregularities
Region:
Africa
Country:
Kenya
City:
Nairobi
Name of community or family threatened with eviction:
Patrick Kamotho
Estimated number of people affected (in figures):
2000
Type of tenure:
Owners
Economic characteristics:
Unemployed/unsalaried , Informal sector work , Various
Social characteristics:
Nomadic , Indigenous
Age group:
Various
Case history:
Narok,Kenya: Maasai vow to block geothermal project expansion
Over 2,000 members of the Maasai community met on their spiritual land in Suswa,Narok County where they pledged to take over the disputed 75,000 acres Kedong Ranch.
Scale of responsibility:
National
Violations of international legislation:
International Convention Against Torture (Art. 16) , International Convention on the Rights of the Child (art. 27) , ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples , Universal Declaration of Human Rights , International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (art. 11)
Reasons given for eviction (official and unofficial) :
Expansion of Olkaria Geothermal Plant,
Main events in the eviction (date, year, time):
On July 26, 2013 was a gloomy day for the Maasai community who live in Narasha in Naivasha, Kenya. By day break, hundreds of hired goons accompanied by armed police officers stormed the settlement and burned over 61 homesteads leaving them homeless.
Authorities planning or carrying out the eviction:
KenGen and Kenya Police
Organisations involved, their strengths and weaknesses, and their position on the problem :
World Bank Funded Project.
Agencies, NGOs or other organisations providing support to the community affected:
East Africa Climate Change Network,East Africa Alliance of Inhabitants,
Measures taken or proposed by community members and/or organisations supporting them to resist eviction and/or find alternative solutions:
Coordinate Maasai affected and sue Kengen Company and the Government of Kenya and compel World Bank to adhere to international standar
Options or possible solutions proposed by local or national authorities for the communities affected:
Land tenure regularisation , Compensation
Future strategies or measures proposed to deal with this case or other evictions :
Networking and community participation and interventions.
Important future dates (specify what and when: day, month, year) :
July 25,2013
Source of information (name, address and nature of involvement) :
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?searchtext=evictions%20at%20Maasai%20Mara#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=evictions%20at%20Maasai%20Mara&gsc.page=8
Organsiations(s) providing information :
East Africa Climate Change Network
Relationship of community organisations involved with IAI:
Participates in Zero Evictions Campaign
Upload video (Youtube link; for example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqb1CtIMllg):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MJryMA3seoY
Update:
20/08/2013
Date of complaint:
25th July,2013
Editor:
PATRICK KAMOTHO
Notes:

BY JOHN AHNI SCHERTOW • JUL 26, 2013 • 4 COMMENTS

July 26, 2013 was a gloomy day for the Maasai community who live in Narasha in Naivasha, Kenya. By day break, hundreds of hired goons accompanied by armed police officers stormed the settlement and burned over 61 homesteads. During the raids 500 lambs, 200 calves and food that was in stores were burnt. During the ensuing melee 2 men were shot and wounded and are currently receiving treatment. Over 2000 people were left homeless and are currently living in the cold without food or shelter.

Narasha has been home for the Maasai but a land deal perpetrated by the former government regime has perpetually been bent on grabbing the Land. The land in question has allegedly been sold to KenGen for the production of geothermal power with funding from the World Bank.