#ShujaaMtaani

Mary is an Indigenous Woman Human Rights Defender from the Indigenous Persons Community- The Sengwer – whose ancestral land is in Embobut Forest in Elgeyo Marakwet County. 

She is the chairperson of the Sengwer Women Group, a group that has been on the forefront mainstreaming the plight of women and young girls from Embobut Forest and how the government’s eviction from the said forest has worsened the situation of gender justice.

She is a Lands Rights activist advocating for the ancestral land rights for her community and a strong Women’s right champion within her community.

Mary with youths in Kabolet, Cherangany( where Some of the Sengwer Indigenous Persons live) getting ready for liquid soap distribution

During Covid-19, Mary and members of the group took it upon themselves to sensitize community members on Covid-19 and the best personal etiquette and public health practices that would ensure curbing of the disease and as per government directives.

Further, she heads the group in liquid soap making. Mary then distributes the soap from door to door and it is at this activity that she gets the opportunity to sensitize community members. 

Beneficiaries of her work do not only hail from Elgeyo Marakwet. She has gone as far as to Kabolet, Cherangany in Trans-Nzoia County, where she has been imparting women with soap making skills. A section of The Sengwer Indigenous Persons live in the area too.

The community members lead an impoverished life as a result of the government’s violent evictions from their ancestral home. The evictions disrupted the socio-economic wellbeing and co-existence of the Sengwer Community and Embobut Forest.

Therefore, there are not enough disposable incomes that would otherwise promote access to commodities such as soap and other essential items aiding the fight against the spread of coronavirus disease. 

Mary has been a key figure in combating police harassment within her community and speaking up against excessive force unnecessarily meted upon locals in the wake of enforcing government measures.

Mary Komen with Group Members distributing liquid soap In Elgeyo Marakwet West