LEAD ORGANIZATIONS
THE OGIEK PEOPLES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (OPDP
OPDP is the major organization that advocates for issues relating to the Ogiek people. OPDP was registered as a NGO organization in 2001. Some of its focal areas/ strategic pillars include: Good corporate governance and institutional capacity, land and natural resources, human rights and good governance, environment conservation and climate justice, culture and language, sustainable development goals and gender and youth empowerment.
Some of OPDP’s achievements include implementing the African Court Judgement, facilitating the formation of the Hunter Gatherers Forum, undertaking a forest rehabilitation program, publishing a report on the state of health and education among minority and indigenous peoples in Kenya, women empowerment, an Ogiek Cultural Community Center and a renewable energy project partnership.
Under OPDP, the Tirap Youth Council (TYC) as well as the Ogiek Council of Elders (OCE) were formed.
THE TIRAP YOUTH COUNCIL
Tirap Youth Council formally known as Ogiek Youth Council is a youth organization officially formed by Ogiek Youth Professionals in December 2019 after realizing that there was lack of a youth voice in the Ogiek struggle. TYC is currently hosted by OPDP. TYC has representatives in all counties where the Ogiek are found.
The TYC mission is “To advocate for/against. Empower, Educate, Mentor and Transform the indigenous Ogiek Youth.” Their vision is “Amplified Ogiek youth voices in promoting equality and diversity”
Their objectives include:
- To create awareness on the rights of indigenous peoples.
- To build strong relationships with all the Ogiek youth of Kenya
- Championing for Indigenous rights on land and natural resources.
- Gender and Youth empowerment.
TYC CURRENT PROGRAMS INCLUDE:
Girl Mentorship Program
The aim of this program is to educate girls within the Ogiek territory on harmful cultural practices including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), teenage pregnancies, menstrual health hygiene and sex education. The program is currently operational in the counties of Narok, Nakuru and Uasin Gishu. The program is based on the fact that young girls in the Ogiek community have been victims of triple discrimination on the basis of gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status.
Forest Restoration
TYC has planted and continues to plant over 2000 indigenous tree seedlings with the youth and girls in East-Mau Forests
Climate Justice and Renewable Energy
Indigenous and minority communities are most affected by climate change. TYC educates the Ogiek community on the effects of climate change and how to combat climate change. The campaign has started by educating the younger generation and will slowly escalate to the older generation. TYC trains community members on types of renewable energy and why it is suitable for people and the planet.
TYC CONTACTS:
THE OGIEK COUNCIL OF ELDERS (OCE)
The journey to have an OCE begun way back in 2009 as a response to the requirement by the Hasan Noor led taskforce on Mau. The community was required at that point to forward the names of people who would represent them in related matters. The council had 30 members who served from 2009 to 2010. From that point however, the OCE died down and efforts were made to revive it overtime.
On Saturday 5th September 2020, 44 Ogiek elders from the Eastern Mau region convened at Chester Hotel. They were drawn from clan elders, community leaders and political representatives. The aim of the meeting was to organize a united front for the Ogiek community through a unified leadership structure. The idea of a National Council of Ogiek elders was conceived. On the 26th of October 2020, 70 elders from all the 6 counties met at Imani Guest house and elected a National Ogiek Council of Elders. The council members are governed by a Constitution. The council are elected for one term but can serve for a maximum of two terms. The chairperson of the Council is John Labolo Sironga. The roles of the National Ogiek Council of Elders include:
- They are the custodians of Ogiek records, register, court cases and other information as bestowed to them by the community.
- They are mandated to speak on behalf of the entire community.
- Spearheading Ogiek issues at County and National level on behalf of the community.
- Sensitization of members of the Ogiek on the new Council and validating the grassroots (Clan elders) leadership through local community forums.
- Documenting their governance system and rules that govern the council as well as the customary rules to the government the community.
Some of the activities that the National Ogiek Council of elders have undertaken include: in Training in December 2020 on leadership, negotiation and advocacy skills to sharpen their service delivery to the community.
They have also done media briefings addressing various issues within the Ogiek community, the most recent one being on the 11th of February 2020.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Both the Tirap Youth Council and the Ogiek Council of elders are hosted by OPDP.
PHYSICAL LOCATION
P.O BOX 424 -20115, Egerton.
Nakuru, Kenya.
Nyamakoroto House,
2nd Floor, Room 210.
Biashara Street.
ONLINE PRESENCE
Email: opdp2001@yahoo.com / opdp@ogiekpeoples.org
Website: www.ogiekpeoples.org
Twitter: @ogiekpeoples
Facebook: Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program – OPDP.