Company pays Sh2.3m in royalties to Endorois

The Endorois Moran dancers perform during the Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1, 2013. The news that the Endorois community which lives near Lake Bogoria will be paid Sh2.3 million as royalties for an enzyme used in colouring jeans raises important questions. FILE PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Speaking during the handing over of the cheques to the county government at the Kenya School of Government in Kabarnet, Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi said communities had every right to benefit from the resources
  • Mr Cheboi cited the exploration by Tullow Oil in Kerio Valley and the power generation by Geothermal Development Company in Silale as opportunities which residents must benefit from

After waiting for years, a Danish firm has paid the Endorois community that lives adjacent to Lake Bogoria Sh2.3 million in royalties for enzymes generated from the lake.

The money from Danish Bio-Enzyme Company will be issued in form of bursaries for more than 200 students from the minority community.

Local civil society organisations have, however, demanded full disclosure of all the money from the deal.

“The Endorois people need to know the companies involved and what mechanisms were used to arrive at the figure. The county needs to put in place mechanisms to protect our natural resources,” Baringo Human Rights Consortium coordinator Kipruto Kimosop told Nation.

Speaking during the handing over of the cheques to the county government at the Kenya School of Government in Kabarnet, Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi said communities had every right to benefit from the resources.

“I urge the county assembly to enact laws which will safeguard the interests of residents where natural resources are found. This will reduce tension and conflict,” said Mr Cheboi.

NATURAL RESOURCES
He urged companies that are involved in exploration of natural resources in the county to consult all relevant stakeholders.

Mr Cheboi cited the exploration by Tullow Oil in Kerio Valley and the power generation by Geothermal Development Company in Silale as opportunities which residents must benefit from.

He directed the department of Environment and Natural Resources to ensure that all water catchment areas are protected.

Mr Michael Kipkeu, the Kenya Wildlife Service deputy assistant director said that the organisation was considering paying more royalties to the community.

 “We delayed a little bit because there was no legal framework for the process. The Nagoya Protocol, which outlines policies on access to genetic resources and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilisation, was ratified by Kenya in May 2014,’’ said Mr Kipkeu.

ILLEGAL EXPORTATION
Baringo becomes the first county to receive royalties from its resources.

Mr Kipkeu warned unscrupulous individuals purporting to do research but who end up taking away resources for commercial purposes, that legal action would be taken against them.

“There is no reason why Baringo cannot be like Maasai Mara and Samburu that have benefited extensively from wildlife,” said Mr Kipkeu.

Three years ago, the Endorois raised concern over what they termed illegal exportation of enzymes.