[Men of a community living in Boni forest. The locals living in the area have been told to embrace modern way of living.] (Photo; DNG
Operation Linda Boni Director Joseph Kanyiri has told the hunter-gathering Boni community to adopt a modern life to make their lives easier and more fulfilling.
He told them on Sunday that it was a high time to change to farming and take their children to school. He told them that the national government was going to provide free seeds.
Kanyiri told the community to duscard old beliefs and culture which added less value in their lives.
The community has been depending on Boni for very many years, but the government has banned them from visiting the forest because KDF is trying to flush out all shabaab militants using the forest as hideouts.Elders have said said that they should be allowed to visit the forest since they may not adapt to farming and that farming is a hard job."We will help them into farming and other modern ways of living but they are very reluctant. The current situation don't favour their culture at all," Kanyiri said.The Boni's live in Basuba, Milimani, Mangai and Mararani villages in Lamu East.