The Ogiek Community held a cultural festival at the weekend to identify and unite them as they push for their recognition as Kenya's 43rd tribe. The two-day festival, held at the Nessuit Primary school in Njoro, brought together members of the community from Narok, Nandi, Nakuru and Mt Elgon.

The Ogiek Peoples Development Programme's executive director Daniel Kobei said the cultural event is held to exhibit the traditional and cultural ways of the community." We intend to use the annual event to attract tourists as a way of creating revenue and to tap our youth's talents," said Kobei.

He said the cultural event motivates the community to protect and safeguard its culture."As a threatened community, we can only sustain ourselves if we unite and share the cultural values we adhere to," Kobei said.Ogieks Welfare Council chairman Kimaiyo Towett said the community has been marginalised since the colonial era.