BREAKING NEWS: Historic Mau Narok Case Going to Trial

maasaicpp — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:10:03 +0000

A trial date of November 9, 2011, has been scheduled for the historic Mau Narok land rights case seeking restoration of 30,000 acres of traditional lands to the Maasai people. The case is moving forward despite numerous hurdles imposed on the plaintiffs – including murder, political maneuvering around internally-displaced peoples, and trumped-up criminal charges – and will set precedents for justice under the new Kenyan constitution and for indigenous land rights around the world. The Maasai people have stood firm to weather these challenges and are on the brink of winning back not only lands stolen from them for over 100 years, but also their rightful place as respected and important members of Kenyan society. The trial, to take place in Nairobi, will be heard by a new branch of the high court established to hear land and environmental matters; indeed, the Mau Narok case has been labeled “the first acid-test for this court.” The Maasai people have for generations looked forward to making their case within a fair and transparent court, and are finally getting this opportunity. More information about the trial, and the ongoing work of the Maasai Community Partnership Project and Maasai Environmental Resource Coalition in supporting the plaintiffs, will be updated as it becomes available.