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I.General Overview
The Commission of Inquiry into the Post Election Violence (CIPEV) released its report on theviolence as part of the National Dialogue and Reconciliation process. The CIPEV was designed toinvestigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the violence and the conduct of state securityagencies so as to recommend punitive measures
to hold responsible parties accountable.The Commission c
oncluded that the violence was based on ethnicity and political leanings, whichwas exacerbated by a collapse of the state institutions and security forces. The findings noted thatviolence was spontaneous in some areas and more thoroughly planned in others, highlighting thatindividuals, parties, and institutions were involved at various stages of planning and carrying outthe violence.The increasing association of the presidency with the accrual of benefits to affiliated ethnic groupswas cited as fuelling the conflict. Inequities and economic marginalization were also noted as keydrivers of the conflict, particularly as disparities are viewed in ethno-geographic terms.The Report recommended that a specialtribunal be set up within sixty days to seekaccountability from individuals who bear thegreatest responsibility for crimes during theviolence. Indeed, the identification andprosecution of those responsible for thePEV has become a key litmus test of whether Kenya can overcome past cyclesof impunity and facilitate sustainablereconciliation, however the list of those whowill be held accountable has not beenpublically released.His Excellency Kofi Annan, who mediatedthe Kenya National Dialogue and
UNITED NATIONSHUMANITARIAN UPDATE vol. 389 October – 22 October 2008Office of the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in KenyaHIGHLIGHTS
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More than 6,000 people were displaced by flash floods in Mandera district on 14 October andthree people are feared dead. Over 1,200 households were affected by flooding in Turkana.
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Food security is expected to deteriorate to extreme levels in parts of Northern and North EasternKenya by March 2009.
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Clashes kill at least ten in the Mandera districts and the situation remains volatile along theSomali border.
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At least eight “self-help” groups are in the process of relocating from IDP camps to land they arecollectively purchasing.
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
Flooding in Mandera district. Photo: Action Against Hunger (ACF).October 2008. For more on floods in Kenya see page 2.
 
Reconciliation process, urged political leaders, some of whom are already campaigning for the2012 general elections, to focus on implementing the recommendations of the CIPEV report,including the special tribunal, as well as long-term reforms to address regional developmentimbalances; unemployment, particularly among the youth; and constitutional reforms.
II. Humanitarian SituationFloods
Heavy rains in parts of Turkana from 4 to 7 October caused flooding of theTurkwel River which reachedup to one kilometre inlandfrom the rive banks. Anassessment undertaken byOCHA and the Kenya RedCross Society (KRCS) on 15October in Katilu divisionconcluded that the floodscaused serious damage tocrops, one confirmed deathand 16 missing people; atotal of 1,262 householdswere affected by the floodsaccording to the KRCS.Most of the households in the Katilu and Kainuk divisions rely on irrigated farming after cattlerustling and the PEV led to their displacement and changes in their livelihoods from pastoralism tosedentary farming. The flooded areas annually produced 292.4 MTs of maize for over 670households; the KRCS projected that affected households would face food insecurity due to thefloods. Hundreds of those affected have moved to higher grounds, but require shelter, food andother basic services. To meet urgent needs, the Government of Kenya, through the ProvincialAdministration, has provided food assistance and the KRCS has distributed NFIs.Around 6,000 thousand people were also displaced by flash floods in Mandera district on 14October and three people are feared dead. The floods, as well as simultaneous replenishment of a seasonal lagae (rivers), which cut through the town, were caused when the River Daua burst itbanks due to recent heavy rains in the Ethiopian highlands, submerged seven wells, damaged 189permanent houses and shelters, surrounded seven schools with water, submerged 428 toilets andtwo boreholes, washed away 1 km of water piping, disrupted water supply to the hospital and ledto the disappearance of countless livestock. Contaminated water sources and related diseaseoutbreak now threaten the 150,000 residents of Mandera Town.
2
Flooded road in Mandera on 14 October. Photo: ACF
Appx 1,800Householdsdisplaced3 Missing
Source: IRIN, 16 October.The same road in Mandera on 16 October. Photo: ACF
 
The KRCS and other partners have distributed non-food items (NFIs) to affected households,provided latrine slabs, and distributed PUR sachets and aqua tabs to avoid outbreaks of water borne diseases. UNICEF also supported the repair of damaged water supply systems. TheGovernment has provided some food assistance to 920 affected families. UNICEF and WHOdispatched relief supplies from warehouses in Garissa while line ministries and local partnerssourced items in local warehouses.According to the KRCS, remaining urgent needs include food assistance for 1,000 households for one month; NFIs for 2,000 households; dignity packs; latrines for 1,000 households; aqua tabs andPUR sachet; and support for the transport of relief items.
Pastoralists Livelihoods & Resource-based Conflicts
iGariThe floodwaters receded quicklyowing to the very dry soil in theaffected areas in Mandera. However,the damage caused by the floodsrequires urgent attention.Furthermore, displacement caused bythe floods has exacerbated inter-clantensions. According to Practical Action(PA), clashes erupted in Koromeyvillage, five kilometres from Mandearatown on 16 October when clanmembers displaced by the floodssought refuge on land from another clan. Two persons were killed in theclashes and KRCS reported that 31houses were destroyed. Another clash in the Warankara area resultedin four deaths on 16 October. Localmedia reported that inter-clanskirmishes led to five more deaths on18 October in Bulla Kamour near Mandera town while three more werekilled on 21 October in Koromey.Authorities have instituted a curfewand deployed security personnel toquell the violence, which has yet to abate. Local media reported that the road between Manderatown and El Wak town remained insecure through 21 October.Conversely, drought conditions are also sparking clashes in areas that have not been affected byfloods. In Tana River district IRIN reported that a herdsman was killed in an area that has notreceived rainfall for several months. KRCS noted that pastoralists have been forced to migratefurther distances, sometimes onto competing clan areas, in search of scarce water and pastureresources.
Drought
Some areas affected by floods are concurrently experiencingdrought. The successive failed rains in the arid and semi-aridland (ASAL) areas in North East and Northern Provinces hasprecipitated the slow onset of drought conditions. There wasincreased rainfall between 12 September and 11 October,above normal in the northwest (see green areas on map) butstill below normal in the northeast (areas in yellow on
3
Same road in Mandera after floodwaters receded on 16October. Photo: ACF
 
Areas where clashes have erupted in Mandera, Kenya. For a map of theaffected area see ochaonline.un.org/kenyaKoromey village,clashes resulted in 2deaths on 16October and 3 moreon 21 October;Bulla Kamour,clashes resulted in 5deaths on 18Gari/Warankaraarea, where clashesresulted in four deaths on 16FEWSNET/NOAA, Rainfall anomalies between 12September and 11 October.
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