This letter was written by Loolasho, a coordinator at AJWS grantee partner Kenya Indigneous Youth Network, to mark Indigenous People’s Day on October 14. We’re proud to share his words with you here.
My name is Loolasho, and I was born and raised in a small community in the Laikipia drylands forest. I am a member of the Yaaku Indigenous people — and a coordinator at Kenya Indigenous Youth Network (KIYN). KIYN is a safe space for young activists from over a dozen Indigenous communities across Kenya to build unified, collective action to demand our human rights be respected.
In the last few months, we’ve seen nationwide protests in my country led by young people who are tired of a defunct system that serves the interest of a few corrupt individuals sitting in power. I’ve watched Kenya’s youth awaken, feeling the pinch of neglect and corruption. It’s a feeling that Indigenous people know too well.
To be Indigenous in Kenya means being acknowledged by the government only during an election cycle, and to be completely invisible thereafter. As Kenya’s government develops its cities and doles out resources, Indigenous communities lack schools, hospitals, roads and important infrastructure for their wellbeing.
Ours is not a fight for the faint-hearted. It can be emotionally draining. But we find satisfaction in being a voice to the voiceless; it keeps us going and nourishes our weary spirits.
AJWS’s support has stoked tremendous hope for us, fueling our advocacy for the rights and recognition of Indigenous people in Kenya. It’s helped KIYN reach communities facing the effects of climate change firsthand; we’ve built shelters for families displaced by rising waters. And this support allows the young activists of KIYN to gather once a year and reflect, share and strategize on how to bring about a better day for Indigenous peoples in Kenya.
I recently visited an Indigenous Turkana community, deep in the scorching Kerio Valley. We met a village elder at the site of a proposed community farm to help this community grow drought-resistant crops — a KIYN initiative made possible by AJWS. He expressed his joy that finally the farm was becoming a reality, as so many promises have been made and broken to his community. Having the privilege of serving our people in such situations is a constant reminder to not give up the fight.
Thank you for standing with us. We fight together, and we’ll succeed together.