Empowering the OGIEK community: A future beyond the forests

The OGIEK community in Kuresoi, South West Mau in Kenya, has faced a long history of exclusion and hardship, with forced evictions from the Mau Forest dating back to the 1930s. The situation escalated in the 1990s due to irregular land allocations and dispossessions, intensifying feelings of isolation and leading to conflict, displacement, and loss of lives.

In 2017, SNV, in partnership with IDH, KTDA, Finlay, and GAD-F, launched the Livestock Intensification Project (ISLA), piloting an alternative livestock production system to enhance income and promote environmental sustainability. Now in its fourth phase, the project has sustainably increased dairy production and efficiency, reduced cattle grazing in the forest, and strengthened farmers’ business enterprises.

Initial interventions, including capacity development in livestock management and climate-resilient practices, have significantly boosted milk yields. The surge in production led to the formation of five dairy cooperatives to facilitate efficient and sustainable access to milk markets. Among them is the TIN Dairy Farmers’ Cooperative, composed of the OGIEK community, with 230 members, 93 of whom are actively supplying 1.5 litres per day to the cooperative.

'Before the intervention, we grazed our animals in the forest and only managed one cup (1/3 litre) of milk per day. We were using cups to measure productivity.With better feeding practices and training, we have greatly improved our production.'

– TIN Cooperative Board Member, Mr John Keror

The project has brought a sense of ownership, hope, and community. Improved biodiversity and livestock management skills have reduced dependency on the forest as a grazing area for their cattle, easing tensions with local authorities. The OGIEK community now adopts better livestock practices, such as zero-grazing units, growing high-quality fodder varieties, and keeping improved breeds. Capacity building for cooperative governance and financial literacy has increased accountability and transparency. Community members now appreciate the need for collective action and have moved from selling milk by the cup to delivering larger quantities to the cooperative. Social impacts are evident, with women empowered and actively participating in household decision-making.

'We are accountable to each other. My wife questions me about the dairy enterprise, which I manage, while I can question her about the off-farm business that she manages.'

– Mr and Mrs Barno, Members, TIN Dairy Cooperative

Livelihoods are improving among the OGIEK, as seen from the increased school enrolment and completion rates. The additional income enables families to pay school fees and transition away from hunting and gathering. At the household level, women have started kitchen gardens to provide nutritious food for their families.

'My farm management capacity has improved because of the training I have received from the project, through TIN Cooperative, which has reduced dependency on the forest as a source of livestock feed. I am now establishing a zero-grazing unit as my pathway to prosperity.'

– Mr Barno, Member, TIN Dairy Cooperative

However, challenges persist despite progress. Previously, members sold milk at lower prices to a private off-taker, who often delayed payments, creating financial strain. Even after establishing the cooperative, the private off-taker continued purchasing milk directly from members and supplying it to the TIN Dairy Farmers’ Cooperative Society. To address this, the cooperative intensified awareness efforts and onboarded extension officers. These efforts have increased daily milk collection to 188 litres, up from 120 litres in 2021—a 57% growth.

As the cooperative moves forward, it will be essential to prioritise:

• Expanding membership beyond the OGIEK community to include other tribes who feel marginalised, despite being leading milk producers.

• Increasing women’s representation in leadership, currently at just 16% on the board, as women play a key role in the dairy sector.

• Revising the constitution to address the issue of members side-selling their milk.

• Developing value-added products such as mursik to access niche markets beyond the locality.

• Digitising the milk supply system to move away from the manual card system, further boosting confidence, accountability, and member loyalty.