The Endorois case

Publish Date: 
Tuesday, June 5, 2018

What is this case about?

In the 1970s, the Kenyan government evicted hundreds of Endorois families from their traditional lands around the Lake Bogoria area in the Rift Valley, to create a game reserve for tourism. In response, and after pursuing legal options at the national level, the Endorois Welfare Council, assisted by fellow ESCR-Net members, Minority Rights Group International and the Center for Minority Rights Development, took the case to the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR). In 2010, the ACHPR issued a judgment stating that the Kenyan government had violated the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, specifically the rights to religious practice, to property, to culture, to the free disposition of natural resources, and to development. While certain aspects of the Commission decision have been realized, the Kenyan government has mostly not complied with the recommendations yet. The case represents the first legal recognition of an African indigenous peoples’ rights over traditionally owned land and is also the first case globally which found a violation of the right to development. For a full case summary, please click here.

What collective implementation activity took place?

ESCR-Net members worked in close partnership and solidarity with members and allies based both in Kenya and beyond, to advance implementation of the specific decision and land-related rights generally. Throughout the implementation efforts, particular emphasis has been placed on the role of women in progressing implementation and in engaging and taking leadership roles in land rights more broadly. Collective efforts include:

For more information on the SLWG’s collective implementation action on this case, please click here

Key documents: