Overview

The land question remains an emotive issue across Kenya regardless of one's ethnic origins. Today, almost every Kenyan seeks to own a kaplot, a piece of earth however small, that one can call one's own. The resultant conflicts that arise with this mindset are many and are at the centre of displacement and marginalization of many Kenyans while enriching a few in the privileged class. Yet this need not be the case if we all learnt from our past and especially the manner in which communities perceived land and the relationship that existed between the people (communities) and the land. In Tears of Disinheritance, Ben Ole Koissaba systematically analyzes many of the issues arising from matters of land from the perspective of the Maasai. Going as far back as memory and written records reach, Dr. Koissaba captures the story of the Maasai, their origins, belief system, and migrations to vast stretches of land that form most of the Rift Valley, both in Kenya and Tanzania. He succinctly captures the genesis of many a conflict, displacement, and subsequent impoverishment, including treaties purportedly signed on behalf of the Maasai at the advent of colonialism; treaties that even independent Kenya has failed to address. Tears of Disinheritance makes the case for the rights of indigenous peoples in Kenya, drawing parallels with similar cases in countries like Canada, Australia, and the USA. This book is thought-provoking in more ways than one on matters of land and how best to view and use the land as well as how best to protect the land rights of indigenous people in Kenya.

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9781989928097

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""The work is compelling and makes the case very well, not just for the subject of the book (the Maasai) and their tribulations, but any dispossessed indigenous community across the world."" - Rose Keya, Book Editor ""This study serves as an exemplary effort to put together a community's experience that hopefully will inspire everyone to move forward the agenda of community land rights .... improve [requisite] understanding and start addressing historical land injustices as a means of securing community land tenure regime in Kenya."" - Odenda Lumumba, Land and Agrarian Studies Fellow University of the Western Cape, SA."

The work is compelling and makes the case very well, not just for the subject of the book (the Maasai) and their tribulations, but any dispossessed indigenous community across the world. - Rose Keya, Book Editor This study serves as an exemplary effort to put together a community's experience that hopefully will inspire everyone to move forward the agenda of community land rights .... improve [requisite] understanding and start addressing historical land injustices as a means of securing community land tenure regime in Kenya. - Odenda Lumumba, Land and Agrarian Studies Fellow University of the Western Cape, SA.

The work is compelling and makes the case very well, not just for the subject of the book (the Maasai) and their tribulations, but any dispossessed indigenous community across the world. - Rose Keya, Book Editor This study serves as exemplary effort to put together a community's experience that hopefully will inspire everyone to move forward the agenda of community land rights .... improve [requisite] understanding and start addressing historical land injustices as a means of securing community land tenure regime in Kenya. - Odenda Lumumba, Land and Agrarian Studies Fellow University of the Western Cape, SA.

Author Information

Dr. Ben R. Ole Koissaba holds a Ph.D. in International Family and Community Studies from Clemson University, South Carolina, USA, a Post-Doctorate in Advanced Rehabilitation Research from Langston University, Oklahoma, an MA in Social Entrepreneurship from Northwest University, Kirkland, Washington, USA, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Theology and Development from the Oxford Center for Mission Studies of the University of Leeds, UK. Dr. Koissaba is a Certified Development Project Manager and a holder of several professional certifications including Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Project Information Management Systems, Project Design Monitoring & Evaluation, Financing for Development, Advocacy and Human Rights, among others.Dr. Koissaba has extensive experience working for Non-Profits and government agencies in Africa and the United States as well as international institutions like USAID, AusAid, UNDP, DFID, the World Bank, and the European Union. Dr. Koissaba has contributed immensely to the work of global Indigenous Peoples through advocacy work and representation at global forums including the United Nations where he was the global co-chair for the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Popples' during the 2009 session. Dr. Koissaba's broad research interests are in indigenous societies of Sub-Saharan Africa, globalization, environmentalism and development, social justice, and human rights. Nevertheless, within these foci, is a strong work, consultancy, and research experience in community-engaged research in community development as it pertains to the challenges facing the minorities and/or underrepresented indigenous peoples in other parts of the world. Thus, he has researched, published, advocated for, and made many conference presentations on the land, ecological, and development challenges of the Maasai community of Kenya and other minority groups.

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