This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
As of June 29, 2020, a European Union funded conservation project in Embobut, Elgeyo Marakwet County, is in jeopardy due to a standoff between the government and the Sengwer community.
The project, aimed at conserving the critical Embobut water tower, has been put on hold after the government failed to reach a consensus with the indigenous community.
According to EU Ambassador to Kenya Simon Mordue, the EU funding for Kenya will expire by September 20, 2020, and if the standoff is not resolved, the money will be allocated to other programmes, including helping member countries combat Covid-19.
At least 10,000 hectares of the 29,000-hectare forest had been encroached, prompting the State to evict forest dwellers in 2013. However, the Sengwer community has maintained that leaving the forest would amount to losing their heritage.
Government officials, led by Environment Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo and EU Ambassador Simon Mordue, have been trying to negotiate with the community to unlock the Sh3.6 billion funding.
However, a meeting held last week failed to resolve the issues raised by the indigenous community, prompting the government to announce further talks to salvage the funding.
The Sengwer community spokesman, Paul Kiptuka, has accused government officials of failing to answer why they were subjected to brutality during the evictions.
