Fifty years after the country received its independence, a group of squatters in Lurambi constituency, are still living in caves and harvesting forest fruits and honey as the only means of survival. Snakes, buffaloes and all manner of insects have turned out to be the neighbors of over 300 families living in Ortut forest in Kongasis division in Gilgil constituency.
As Kenyans move into a digital world, the ‘forgotten community as it is referred to, is busy burning charcoal from what remains of the once popular forest.
These people’s lives have been worsened by the ongoing drought which has seen them turn to the use of stagnant water, as both the national and county governments have forgotten them.
The area is soo remote without schools, health center, running water and though they have documents identifying them as Kenyans, they have nothing to celebrate.
A visit to the area found some of the families whiling their way in the caves as the scorching sun continued to damage any green plant in the area.
According to one of the area leaders Raphael Maero, it is shameful that in the 21st century, there is still Kenyans who live like animals.
Maero also noted that for over 40 years the family had lived in the caves with the past and present regimes ignoring their plight. The community leader Lelei Kiprono also said that majority of those in the forest came from Lari in Kiambu county 50 years ago and had settled there as squatters, him being a squatter.