SURVIVAL INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE
27 November 2006
Botswana: Kenyan Hunter-Gatherers Detained And Questioned By Authorities
Two Ogiek hunter-gatherers visiting Botswana to investigate the situation of the Kalahari Bushmen have been detained and
questioned by the authorities.
The two men, Kiplangat Cheruyot and Mpoiko Kobei, had traveled from Kenya to talk to Kalahari Bushmen now living in
resettlement camps after being evicted from their ancestral lands.
After holding a press conference in the Botswanan capital, Gaborone, the men were detained at the Zimbabwean border by
Botswanan officials looking for 'the two Kenyan passport holders'. They were then questioned for an hour on who they had
met, who had invited them, and if they had anything to do with Survival International.
After being released the men were dropped in the area between the Botswanan and Zimbabwean borders. Upon arriving in
Zimbabwe, the police told them they were looking for 'two escaped Kenyans'.
At their Gaborone press conference Mr Cheruyot said, '[The Bushmen's] lives, culture and tradition have been disrupted
through the evictions. Families have been torn apart and the conflict between the people and the government agencies has
induced a state of permanent fear.'
Mr Cheruyot added, 'Kenya fought its hunter-gatherers, mountain and forest people for decades, but the government
realised its mistakes and gave indigenous hunter-gatherer people like ours title deeds for land. They helped the people
to own and manage the wildlife resources in their areas, and draw the benefits of exploitation. I am sure Botswana can
learn from our experience.'
We help tribal peoples defend their lives, protect their lands and determine their own futures.
Ends