Fresh battle as Talai clan takes UK to EU court over colonial-era land grab.
The Kipsigis and Talai clan who were evicted from their land by British settlers during colonial rule are taking their case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), in order to demand London’s apology and compensation.
Joel Kimutai Bosek, who is a representative for the Kipsigis and Talai peoples, stated on Tuesday that “the UK government has dodged and dived, and regrettably avoided every possible path of remedy.” “In order to put the past right, we have no alternative but to represent our clients in court.”
Lawyers for those who were evicted from Kenya’s Rift Valley claim that the UK government violated the European Convention of Human Rights, to which it is a signatory, by ignoring the victims and their concerns.
Early in the 20th century, the Kipsigis and Talais were driven from their native grounds near Kericho, a significant tea-growing region now cultivated by major global corporations like Unilever, Finlay’s, and Lipton.
They brought their case to the UN, where in 2021 a panel of special investigators expressed “severe concern” over the UK’s refusal to make a formal public apology or accept responsibility for these colonial-era wrongdoings.
Kenyans who were evicted from their land by British colonial settlers are bringing a case against the UK before the European Court of Human Rights.
Joel Kimutai Bosek, who is a representative for the Kipsigis and Talai peoples, stated on Tuesday that “the UK government has dodged and dived, and regrettably avoided every possible path of remedy.” “In order to put the past right, we have no alternative but to represent our clients in court.”
