Residents of Oldonyonyokie Ranch in Kajiado County, on Wednesday morning, staged a protest against the establishment of a carbon credit project on their land.
The demonstrations ensued after a section of youths from the region disrupted a meeting convened by the foreign company, which seeks a 68,000-acre piece of land for their carbon credit project.
The deal that was expected to be signed today, during which the residents were expected to enter into a 40-year land leasing agreement with the company owners.
While opposing the move, the young protesters who were armed with clubs came out in large numbers, accusing the company of allegedly attempting to forcefully take their ancestral land without their consent.
In the videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the demonstrators were captured marching through an isolated road while holding twigs as they chanted solidarity songs and shouted, "We do not want carbon."
As the protests escalated, a contingent of police officers was immediately dispatched to the scene to combat any attempts by the armed youth to cause any chaos.
However, the adamant demonstrators could be seen bravely approaching the police as they vented their frustrations at the foreigners. During the protests, the youths warned their parents against entering into any deal with the foreign firm.
For the past three years, there have been significant developments and controversies surrounding carbon credit initiatives, particularly in Kajiado County.
Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has, several times, revoked certain carbon credit agreements between private entities and local communities, citing concerns about opaque contracts and possibilities of exploitation.
While such projects aim to generate carbon credits and provide income to local communities, communities in Kajiado raised concerns about the project's potential impact on grazing land and homesteads.
Barely a month ago, Kajiado residents held another protest, lamenting the lack of proper engagement by the foreign firms which seek to acquire their land for the carbon credits.
According to a youth who spoke to the press on April 7, while they were hard pressed to give out their land, the companies had yet to explain to them the meaning of carbon credits and how it would benefit them.
"Those taking signatures, they are taking our parents' signatures without their consent; my parent is not learnt, but they sign the agreement on their behalf. We are warning leaders behind this game," commented a youth.
