Sengwer Women’s Experiences of Evictions

Since the 1960s, the Sengwer peoples of western Kenya have been experiencing forced evictions from their home in the name of conservation. Since 2014, these evictions have intensified.

Here, Milka Chepkorir Kuto, herself a Sengwer woman, researches women’s experiences of evictions.

Sengwer Women's Experiences of Evictions and their involvement in the struggle for Sengwer land rights presents first-hand experiences from Sengwer women and draws conclusions about the treatment, perceptions and concerns of women from the Sengwer community.

 

"It was around 5am when I heard some noises from outside my hut; I thought the cow had broken its shade to graze. When I came out to find out, a man caught me and warned me not to scream. He covered my mouth and threw me to the ground; I remember being slapped several times and asked if I could go inside to get my beongings. As soon as I had finished, my house was set on fire and I watched it burn to ashes."

 

Milka goes on to use her research to call for more substantial representation of women in land rights issues.

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