General Overview August Constitutional Referendum As the 4 August constitutional polls approach, momentum for political sensitization campaigns has heightened in the “Yes” and “No” camps. Campaign rallies have been peaceful since 13 June, when grenade explosions marked a prayer meeting in Nairobi attended by prominent leaders of the No campaign. Six people died and hundreds were injured. Tensions have been reported in the Rift Valley, where certain communities were reportedly moving from their homes in Tinderet in fear of reprisals from another community. Leaflets threatening one ethnic group were reportedly distributed in the area, spreading fear. Police have reportedly arrested at least six people in connection with the leaflet distribution. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) is monitoring hate speeches in the build-up to the referendum. In June, the Government moved swiftly to arrest Members of Parliament (MPs) accused of making hate speeches at a political rally on 13 June. The arrests came two days after MPs advocating the No vote in the referendum addressed their supporters in central Kenya, and allegedly incited certain communities to attack ethnic groups who are not supporting their campaign. Parliament enacted the National Cohesion and Integration Act in December 2009. Under that act, curbing ethnic hatred, inciting violence or making a hate speech that stirs ethnic hatred can lead to up to five years’ imprisonment or attract a fine of up to Kes 1 million (US$12, 200).

Preparedness Efforts The National Disaster Operations Centre hosted a preparedness planning meeting with partners for the referendum. The meeting discussed possible scenarios and preparedness efforts by the Government and its partners to deal with an eventual humanitarian crisis, as a result of instabilities wrought by opposing teams. The Agenda 4 Commissions Referendum Process Conference was held in Nairobi in Nairobi on 15 and 16 July. It was organized by the Interim Independent Electoral Commission, Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission, Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission, The Committee of Experts, NCIC and the United Nations Development Programme. The conference discussed possible scenarios depending on who wins the vote. It reiterated peace messages and encouraged leaders in both camps to spread peace messages, regardless of who wins. Conference participants were drawn from political parties, MPs, civil society, the United Nations and inter-faith organizations. On 8 July, the Kenya Humanitarian Partnership Team (KHPT) focused its discussions on the referendum. The Humanitarian Coordinator urged for coordination and consolidation of all plans to ensure coherence in planning efforts. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian

UNITED NATIONS KENYA HUMANITARIAN UPDATE vol. 61

23 June- 21 July 2010

Office of the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Kenya

HIGHLIGHTS

• Political momentum heightens ahead of 4 August constitutional polls • UN and partners call on regional governments to secure cross-border movement of pastoralists• Northern districts issue alerts for drought in Marsabit, Isiolo and Turkana • Cholera outbreaks controlled in 32 out of 34 affected districts since January 2010 • Government demolishes buildings and homes in settlements and upmarket areas, but hundreds are left stranded

The information contained in this report has been compiled by OCHA from information received from the field, from national and international humanitarian partners and from other official sources. This report does not represent a position from the United Nations. This report is posted on: http://ochaonline.un.org/kenya

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Affairs (OCHA) is working with partners, including the Government’s National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC), and liaising closely with the Kenya Red Cross Society, recognized as the first responders to a crisis in-country. OCHA is also supporting other forums district-level planning processes as well as the consortium of INGOs in Kenya. On 21 July, the Humanitarian Coordinator will brief donors on the humanitarian community’s level of preparedness. Informal Settlements On 16 July, the Urban Vulnerability Consultative Group met to discuss possible scenarios in informal settlements and what school of thinking dominates these areas. The brainstorming session noted that the civic education carried out on the proposed constitution has enlightened communities to differentiate between the constitutional referendum and political elections. Communities know that the upcoming vote is about passing the law and they are dissociating political figures from the process. Communities in informal settlements are generally in favour of the proposed constitution, as they feel that the draft law addresses a lot of issues they have been calling for. The current scenario has shaped differently and away from the ethnically influenced political affiliations noted in the 2007 elections, which led to widespread violence after the vote. The gangs that formed in 2007 are not being observed in the current political state. Communities seem disinterested in political personalities, but are confused with the religious leaders from whom they get a lot of influence. The District Peace Committees in Nairobi, led by the Nairobi Provincial Commissioner, have been working closely with communities to foster peace messages. The UV process is linking into the KHPT and Government-led processes. The Rift Valley Several meetings have been organized by District Commissioners (DC) in Nakuru, Molo and Eldoret to discuss preparedness efforts in place to deal with potential violence. Tensions are reported to be high in Molo, Kurosei, Njoro, Keringet and Tinderet. In Nakuru, the DC is working with partners to update the El Nino Contingency Plan and adapt it for the referendum. Humanitarian Code of Operation on Emergency Response in Kenya Following a meeting at the NDOC, humanitarian actors have developed a Humanitarian Code of Operation in the event of responding to a humanitarian crisis:

• The Government of Kenya will take the lead role to ensure the security and safety of its citizens in times of disaster by ensuring a coordinated response to humanitarian needs of affected populations.

• Recognizing its capacity and wider network, the Government of Kenya appoints Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) as the lead agency in emergency and humanitarian response in Kenya.

• Whenever possible, KRCS will facilitate the transportation and distribution of relief items to affected populations on behalf of other agencies, including government.

• The district administration, through the office of the Provincial Commissioners, District Commissioners (DC) and District Officers (DO) shall ensure a coordinated humanitarian response at district (field) level to minimize duplication of resources. All organizations doing direct distribution of relief items to beneficiaries must do it in the knowledge of the area DC/DO.

• United Nations agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and KRCS shall work with the established sectors in addressing humanitarian and disaster risk reduction issues. Whenever necessary, the sectors shall upscale their operations to meet the needs of affected populations on demand.

• The OCHA office, in support to the Humanitarian Coordinator shall facilitate coordination to humanitarian response and information sharing between Government, NGOs and United Nations agencies

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Key Humanitarian Developments Security in Mobility — a Call to Action On 29 June, the United Nations and its partners launched a call to action on pastoralists’ issues through an initiative called Security in Mobility. OCHA, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International Organization for Migration and the Institute for Security Studies joined efforts to conduct assessments in Kenya’s cross-border regions from January 2009 to June 2010. Consultative assessments were held with local communities and their leaders to gather first-hand knowledge of how various economic, social and environmental factors, including climate change, are affecting pastoralists’ lives. The regions visited included the Maasai, Karamoja and Somali clusters, which border Tanzania, Uganda and Sudan, and Somalia and Ethiopia respectively. The key findings of the assessments reveal the following:

• Climate change is resulting in unpredictable and extreme weather patterns, and influencing mobility patterns among Pastoralist communities.

• Insecurity has increased in Pastoralists’ border regions. • Some local governments facilitate cross-border mobility especially during drought. Others need to

consider similar strategies. • Mobility (movement) is usually associated with conflict. This risk needs to be recognized and

managed. • Pastoralists are frustrated with current humanitarian aid policies. They want sustainable and

transformational solutions.

Over 185 people attended the launch event. They included pastoralist community leaders, senior Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, East Africa community representatives, and United Nations and NGO representatives. Several media institutions covered the event.

Urban Vulnerability The Ministry of Roads has declared it will demolish all structures built along the Eastern and Northern road bypasses to allow for road construction. The Ministry said all buildings on the road reserves will be demolished. This is because they are causing inordinate delays and Government losses, as road contractors are unable to plan for construction works. A Kes100 million (US$1.2 million) palatial house in the up-market Spring Valley residential area in Nairobi was demolished, with the Ministry stating that no one will be allowed to encroach on road reserves. Similar demolition work in an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kabete NITD, has left hundreds of families stranded after their houses were demolished. The vulnerability of families in slums, and their high poverty levels, exposes them to greater challenges when such structural policies are implemented. According to Amnesty International, in May 2010 market traders operating from the road reserve in Kangemi, Nairobi, were relocated by the provincial administration to unused land in Kabete NITD. The relocation took place peacefully, following months of consultation and negotiation. A key agenda item of the joint OCHA and UN Habitat initiative on Urban Vulnerability (UV) addresses these structural policies by advocating appropriate policy implementation that considers humanitarian impacts on vulnerable populations in informal settlements. The UV initiative will link into the Government’s work and encourage the Kangemi process, whereby the Government identifies alternate land and facilitates relocation. OCHA Kenya and UN Habitat met with the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030 to brief on the key outcomes and progress made since the April workshop on UV. The UN Habitat Director for Africa and Middle East briefed on the development of the multi-sectoral tool being developed by UN Habitat and OCHA, with support from Government staff in the Ministry of Planning. Some NGOs are also part of this process. The Permanent Secretary lauded the efforts in analysing the vulnerability levels in informal settlements and noted that a lack of information further contributes to lack of planning in informal settlements. He stated that risk analysis, which the multi-sectoral tool (under development) intends to address, will be useful for the Government’s work. He committed to ensuring technical staff participate in the monthly National Consultative Forum on Urban Vulnerability and support the UV Technical Working Group on Assessment and Monitoring towards developing an assessment tool.

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Humanitarian Financing The 2010 Emergency Humanitarian Response Plan at mid-year review has received $306 million, or 52 per cent of the total revised requirements of $585.8 million requested. In addition, at the end of June 2010, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes, announced a Central Emergency Response Fund rapid response emergencies allocation of $10 million to Kenya. The allocation has been channelled towards urgent assistance required for the decongestion of the Dadaab refugee camp and eventual relocation of 40,000 refugees to an expanded site. A portion of the funds will also be utilized for constructing food delivery points to facilitate food disitribution at the expanded Ifo site.

Conflict in Pastoralist areas Conflict continues in pastoral areas. Insecurity in Isiolo’s Shaba game reserves, Kom and Boji Dera rangelands left seven people dead in a cattle-rustling incident in June. In Marsabit, insecurity (raids and clashes over resources) was reported in Marsabit central district, and Laisamis and Korr divisions of Marsabit south district. In Turkana North, four people were killed in cattle raids between Sudanese Toposa and Turkanas. Drought Drought conditions in Marsabit, Turkana and Isiolo appear to be deteriorating following insufficient long rains and early cessation. Livestock body conditions are reportedly emaciating (Isiolo), milk availability is decreasing and access to water points is becoming limited. Food Security Seasonal deterioration in food security is expected between July and September in northern districts. These districts also experienced insufficient long rains, but improvements are expected in the Oct-Dec rains. Beneficiary figures for food assistance under Protracted Relief and Recovery Operations remain at 1.6 million people, of whom 1.1 million are pastoralists. In Eastern and Coast Province, the aflatoxin contamination may affect household food security. There is a favourable long-rains harvest expected from the substantial grain-growing areas in western and Rift Valley highlands. Agriculture and Livestock Aflatoxin contamination has affected 2.3 million bags of maize in Eastern Province. In Marsabit, Turkana and Isiolo, the effects of poor long rains include clustering of livestock in areas of favourable resources, and predisposing animals to further upsurge in diseases such as foot and mouth disease and contagious caprine pleuropneumonia, which are already problematic in these districts. Livestock body conditions in these districts also deteriorated according to the Arid Lands Resource Management Project monthly bulletins in June. Most herders in Turkana moved towards the wet-season grazing areas (lowlands) in search of water and pasture from highlands. Their grazing areas are becoming exhausted, hence their migration to

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highlands. The ALRMP June bulletins state that livestock body conditions are declining in Turkana and Isiolo because of declining pasture and increased trekking distances to water sources. Health & Nutrition In Isiolo, rates of children under age 5 who are at risk of malnutrition (defined as mid upper arm circumference <135 mm) declined in June, rising to 31 per cent from 19.2 per cent reported in May. The rate in Merti and Sericho divisions deteriorated from an average of 30 per cent in May to 59.3 per cent and 50 per cent respectively in June. In Turkana, the nutrition status of children under age 5 declined slightly, with the percentage of those rated at risk of malnutrition increasing from 20.1 per cent in May to 21.4 per cent in June. The decline in the nutritional status is associated with decreased availability of milk due to deteriorating livestock body conditions. Cholera outbreaks have subsided in the past month, with only Pokot Central District reporting 15 new cases from 12 to 18 July. The cholera outbreak has cumulatively affected 34 districts nationwide since January 2010, with 3,229 cases and 63 deaths (case fatality rate of 1.9 per cent) recorded. The outbreaks have been controlled in 32 districts. The graph from Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation (MPHS) below depicts stabilized trends in new cases.

Source: MPHS

Water and sanitation There are water shortages in Marsabit, Isiolo and Turkana following cessation of rains in early June. Acute water shortage was experienced in parts of Isiolo (Badana, Biliqi and Modogashe). Livestock were forced to migrate as shallow wells, which were the only water sources, continue to dry up in high temperatures. In Turkana, most surface and underground water sources are below normal. These water sources have inadequate quantities for human and livestock consumption.

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Refugees Kenya hosts 395,708 refugees, of whom 277,509 are in Dadaab camps in north-eastern Kenya as at 30 June. There are 72,638 and 45,561 refugees in Kakuma and Nairobi respectively. The majority of refugees come from Somalia. The refugee influx in the north-eastern districts of Kenya has led to massive deforestation and soil degradation over the past 18 years. UNEP and partners are working on a five-year Dadaab Integrated Environment Programme to address environmental challenges and livelihoods opportunities for host communities and refugees.

Source: UNHCR

For more information, please contact OCHA Kenya: Jeanine Cooper, Head of Office, +254 (20)7625155 cooper1@un.org Patrick Lavandhomme, Deputy Head of Office, +254 (20)7625148 lavandhomme@un.org Thandie Mwape, Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Reporting & Analysis, +254 (20)762 5316 mwapet@un.org Alfred Nabeta, Desk Officer, Africa I Section, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 2649 nabeta@un.org