HUGAFO-K Visit to NGEC - 20th March 2025

On 20th March 2025, representatives from the Hunter Gatherer Forum Kenya (HUGAFO-K), led by Chairperson Mr. Paul Lekapana, paid a courtesy visit to the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) to formally present a petition seeking the issuance of an official tribal code for Hunter-Gatherer communities in Kenya.

The petition underscores the need for formal recognition of Hunter-Gatherer identities to facilitate accurate data collection, equitable resource distribution, and inclusion in national development programs. The delegation emphasized that without proper recognition, these communities continue to face systemic exclusion and invisibility in national statistics and planning.

In response, the NGEC Chairperson reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to promoting datadriven inclusion and highlighted the importance of safeguarding the rights of marginalized communities through affirmative action and policy advocacy. The meeting marked a significant step in advancing the visibility and rights of Hunter-Gatherer communities, laying the groundwork for future collaboration between NGEC and HUGAFO-K in the pursuit of equality and social justice.