A/HRC/4/32/Add.3 page 2 Summary The present report describes the official visit to Kenya of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people from 4 to 14 December 2006, at the invitation of the Government. In Kenya, the Special Rapporteur held consultations with national and regional authorities, United Nations agencies, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and members of indigenous communities and organizations in various parts of the country. The minority hunter-gatherers and pastoralists who live mostly in the arid and semi-arid lands, such as the Elmolo, Yakuu, Sengwer, Maasai and Ogiek, are the indigenous communities of Kenya. Their livelihoods and cultures have been traditionally discriminated against and their lack of legal recognition and empowerment reflects their social, political and economic marginalization. The principal human rights issues they face relate to the loss and environmental degradation of their land, traditional forests and natural resources, as a result of dispossession in colonial times and in the post-independence period. In recent decades, inappropriate development and conservationist policies have aggravated the violation of their economic, social and cultural rights. The lack of social and health services in indigenous communities is especially hard on women and children, who suffer gender inequalities and discrimination, especially with respect to property rights, and harmful traditional practices that are also conducive to the increasing spread of HIV/AIDS amongst these communities. The current Government has embarked on alternative policies for the community-driven development of arid and semi-arid lands, affirmative action policies within the framework of the poverty reduction strategy and the free universal primary education programme. If successful, these policies should be able to redress historical injustices and improve the overall situation of indigenous communities. The violence associated with social and ethnic conflicts of various kinds and the lack of transitional justice and redress have also impacted on the human rights of indigenous communities. The Special Rapporteur concludes his report by making a number of recommendations intended to contribute to the improvement of the human rights situation of the indigenous peoples in the country.