The Sengwer minority community council of elders has rejected the use of the name Cherangany to identify them, which is being used by a section the community members. This comes as two factions differed on the community’s official identity name during the housing and population census. Last week, a section of the community calling themselves Cherangany led by Longit Mugo appealed to the government to implement a task force report that recommended that they be recognized as indigenous residents living within Cherangany hills.
However, Sengwer council of elders led by their chairperson Mr. Charles Chepkut Kisang dismissed claims by a sub-section of the community calling themselves Cherangany. “There was no mediation and we didn’t agree anywhere to use the name Charangany. We don’t have a people known as Cherangany, but it’s where we live,” he said.
During a press conference in Kapenguria, the leaders said that those calling themselves Cherangany want to divide the Sengwer community, having their own selfish interests.
Chepkut said that the Sengwer, being a minority community, is recognized by the government and the international community. “Those calling themselves Cherangany…have grouped up to call themselves Cherangany because the Sengwer live on the Cherangany hills and are adjacent to Cherangany forest.” He said the other faction is led by the Tugens, Sabaots and Keiyo, “We condemn those who are going against the wishes of the Sengwer,” he said, “We should stick to the community’s original name.” Mr. Dickson Rotich, a member of the council of elders, called on the other group to keep off the affairs of the Sengwer community.