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I. General Overview
In an effort to reconfirm commitments made to address some of the core drivers of conflict, theKenyan National Dialogue and Reconciliation released a public service announcement in localmedia. An ambitious matrix of planned activities was outlined, including reform of the constitution,over the next six to twelve months. As a critical part of the peace-building process, the TruthJustice and Reconciliation Commission is also expected to complete its work by 2010. Meanwhile,measures to address inequities and regional imbalances will be implemented within the next two tothree years.Meanwhile, the debate over whether perpetrators of the PEV should receive amnesty was aired inthe Commission of Inquiry into the Post-Election Violence as Attorney General Amos Wakorejected calls to grant amnesty to perpetrators of PEV. However,noting that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute manyalleged offenders being held in association with the violence, herecommended that a Criminal Investigation Department becreated under the Attorney General's office to conduct further investigations.Recognizing that land-related issues are some of the primarydrivers of conflict, there has been widespread demand for the firstNational Land Policy since 1963 to be passed. The Policy isexpected to address irregular allocations of land and accessibilityto land by the poor. Civil society groups have also advocated thatthat the Policy address the various functions that land serves tothe diverse population in Kenya, including a primary source of livelihoods for agriculturalists and pastoralists; a foundation for national economic development; and an important source of cultural heritage. It has been highlighted that the lack of clear policies to address access, rights, usage and competing interestsin land, could continue to fuel conflicts in the country, particularlyas population pressures increase the demand for resources.
UNITED NATIONS HUMANITARIAN UPDATE vol. 3320 August – 27 August 2008Office of the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Kenya
 
HIGHLIGHTS
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The Kenyan Red Cross reported that there are 25,296 IDPs in 48 IDP camps; the KRCS, WFPand an interagency assessment noted that there were 99,198 IDPs in 160 transit sites; theGovernment reported that 226,187 IDPs had returned to pre-displacement areas by 18 August.
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The Long Rains Assessment noted that USD 27.5 million in interventions is required throughmultiple sectors to address food insecurity.
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Ten pastoralists were killed in clashes near the Kenya-Uganda border and others displaced toOropoi division, Turkana North district, according to the Lockichoggio Oropoi and KakumaDevelopment Organization.
The information contained in this report has been compiled by OCHA from information received from thefield, from national and international humanitarian partners and from other official sources. It does not represent a position from the United Nations. This report is posted on: http://ochaonline.un.org/kenya
 
Pastoralist child in Turkana district.March 2008. For more on pastoralistlivelihoods see p. 3
 
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In addition to ongoing processes to address longstanding grievances the Government initiatedconstructive channels to hold public offices accountable for service delivery. A Public Serviceweek was held between 20-27 August, which included efforts to improve public services, such asextended hours of service. Citizens Service Charters were also launched which provide essentialinformation on the functions and services of all public offices, thereby empowering the public tohold officials and institutions accountable to their mandates.
(For the President’s statement on Public Service Week, see: http://www.communication.go.ke/media.asp?id=696g)
II. Humanitarian SituationFood Security
Based on the findings of the Long Rains Assessment (LRA) conducted by the Kenya Food SecuritySteering Group (KFSSG), immediate and long-term interventions are necessary in several sectorsto respond to the food security situation. Because of the compounding factors contributing to foodinsecurity in pastoral regions, they require the greatest amount of resources in multiple sectoralareas. Some of the major factors affecting food security in these areas include: below-normal andsporadic rainfall; livestock diseases, including peste des petits ruminants (PPR), which deterioratedlivestock body conditions and decrease pastoralists’ purchasing power; insecurity due to cattlerustling and competition for resources; high commodity prices; and high rates of malnutrition.
Funding Requirements (in Ksh millions) in Response to Food InsecuritySECTOR Livestock AgricultureHealthWaterEducationTOTALREGION ImmLongTermImm.LongTermImm.LongTermImm.LongTermImm.Northern 156 421286832 327Eastern Pastoral 110 10 10 50140158 478Agro Pastoral 12.5 28.5 9 217.510405 124.5Eastern Marginal 9 50 2712110 217Coastal Marginal 229175460 108Total 287.5 38.5 69 4447.5117544355 118 1,620.5TOTAL USD USD 25.7
 
The LRA provides an important opportunity to identify areas at risk of food insecurity and areas of possible intervention; however, the situation also needs to be considered with respect to theseasonal calendar and specifically the forthcoming short rains (between mid-October and the endof December). According to FEWSNET, the degraded pastures and deteriorated crop conditions in2008 were in part affected by poor short rains in 2007; likewise the food security situation for theremainder of 2008 and in 2009 will be greatly affected by the short rains.
Source: FEWSNET, August 2008.Sourc: KFSSG Long Rains Assessment, August 2008.
 
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Pastoralist Livelihoods
The period between the long and short rains is also the time period in which pastoralists migratewith livestock to dry-season grazing areas. Because of the prevailing drought conditionsthroughout a significant portion of pastoralist areas, there has been increased competition for resources amongst pastoralists during this season.The Lockichoggio Oropoi and Kakuma Development Organization (LOKADO) highlighted that oneof the key grazing area during drought periods spans between Koten and Morulem, Turkanadistrict to Kotdo district, Uganda. The proliferation of arms and presence of cattle rustlers in thisregion, however, has resulted loss of over 300 cattle and 3,500 shoats over the past two years.In an effort to protect the region, which is also an important wildlife corridor, the UgandanGovernment reportedly sent a notice that all pastoralists were to vacate the area in July; however,with increasingly scare pasture areas to turn to, many pastoralists remained. LOKADO reportedthat on 15 August, the UgandaPeoples Defense Forces(UPDF) led an operation in theregion to evict the pastoralistsand clashes erupted. LOKADOreported that the clashesresulted in the death of tenpeople and injury of threeothers.Following the clashes,LOKADO reports that thepastoralists have moved over the border into Kenya and havesought refuge in Oropoidivision, Turkana North district.However, there is reportedlyinsufficient pasture and water inthe area. The displacedpopulation is also reportedly inneed of food aid and NFIs.Meanwhile, the UN Departmentof Safety and Security reportedthat, despite monthly peace andreconciliation meetings, tensions are high in Oropoi division, Turkana North particularly followingclashes during a failed cross-border raid by cattle rustlers between 24-25 August.
Mount Elgon
Peacenet reported that a three-day peace meeting was held in Busia, Mount Elgon from 13-15August supported by Peacenet, Safer World and the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission,Bungoma Diocese and including the participation of 48 leaders from communities in Mount Elgon.The purpose of the meeting was to develop a common platform for reconciliation among theconflicting parties and devise a schedule for peace building activities. At the meeting, it wasagreed that an interim District Peace Committee would be formed in the area to lead peacebuilding activities. It was also recognized that traditional institutions, such as the council of elders,and community-based peace building models needed to be strengthened. Furthermore, theimportant role that youth play in peace building was recognized, especially because of the youthinvolvement in the conflict, and youth-specific programming was discussed.
Source: Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism
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