Why the Maasai community is bitter with the government

It is no doubt that the Maasai community is one of the most cultured communities that still hold dear their traditional beliefs and norms even after the advent of modern civilization and Western cultural influences in the country.

Their distinctive culture defined by dressing style, animal rearing and the adoration of traditional medicine to cure diseases has made them a symbol of Kenya’s culture.

Though they originated from North Africa according to history, the Maasai migrated in Kenya in the middle of 15th century while conquering and raiding animals from other communities along the way before occupying a vast chunk of land in Rift valley – where they settled to graze their cattle.

However, tragedy started to struck when the British colonial masters came into the country with their guns blazing and blood warming for the Maasai’s land.

They seized their land instantly and while they converted the land into ranches for settles, the Kenyan government took away the land and created wildlife reserves and national parks to attract more tourists.

The Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo National Park and Nairobi National among others stand on the once the territory of Maasai community.

Today, the Maasai people only occupy a small piece of land that runs through Kajiado and Narok counties. They are pushed to the periphery of Kenya’s fine game reserves and National parks that were once at the centre of their livelihood. They feel alienated, oppressed and dumped.

It is not by surprise that they have now come up publicly to express this patronizing feeling of rejection and oppression – and have gained the support of many Kenyans across the country.

On Wednesday 6 February 2019, they came up with a popular twitter hashtag #StealingFromMaasai to point out some of the heinous historical injustices that have continuously been robbing them of their rightful share of the national cake.

The community more often through the leaders has lamented that the government has subjected them to a miserable life by leasing their land and the natural resources thereon to the foreigners.

https://twitter.com/DanielMaithyaKE/status/1093000129844514816

They have cited the grabbing of Mara North Conservancy and Mara Naboisho Conservancy by the foreigners as exploitation and violation of human rights, and the laws governing community land.

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