|
Weekly Security Update
8 February 2008
THE KK GROUP OF COMPANIES Security Update
General
Generally, the security situation in the country is reverting to
normality. Outside political violence experienced inSotik-Borabu
and the Trans Mara areas, the rest of the country witnessed
“normal” criminal activity which seems to be increasing. Police
have maintained their crackdown on criminals, scoring relative
successes.
Police in Nairobi shot dead four suspected criminals and recovered
a firearm. Elsewhere in Nakuru, Githunguri and Njoro, six
gangsters were shot dead after foiled attempted crimes. A total of
21 firearms were recovered 18 of which were recovered from the
political violence hit areas of Central Rift. Twenty five
suspected looters and arsonists were shot dead. Continuing
political violence and a new
outbreak in Sotik-Borabu, Saboti and Trans Mara areas claimed 62
lives.
Nairobi Crime
A state of near normalcy was experienced in Nairobi and police
patrols have intensified. However, some serious criminal activity
was reported. In Kawangware on February 2, police shot dead two
suspected muggers and recovered a home-made gun. On February 4,
two suspected carjackers were
shot dead along Waiyaki Way; 1 x AK47, 2 x pistols and a grenade
were recovered as well as a variety of false number plates.
Political Violence
Politically instigated violence has reduced in the country.
However, there was a fresh outbreak in Sotik-Borabu border between
the Kipsigis and Kisii ethnic communities. At least 30 people were
killed. Many houses, schools, trading centres and farms were
burned. Further clashes were reported
beginning February 3 in Saboti, Mt Elgon with 32 people killed.
Clashes were also reported in Trans Mara.
Violence Aftermath
Mutating criminal gangs have defined the aftermath of political
violence. After prosecuting a 'political agenda' in the early days
of the violence, the gangs seem to have run out of control and are
now persecuting their erstwhile supporters. This may alter the
dynamics of crime and insecurity in Kenya.
Kisumu Gangs
The domino effects of the political violence joblessness due to
destroyed economy are beginning to bite. With sources of income
drying up, the gangs that drove political protests have changed to
crime. Gangs are robbing and looting in broad daylight targeting
both the working class and the business community in Kisumu.
It also appears that the public have woken up to the realization
that the violence is destroying their livelihoods. Whereas
criminals could be profiting from the chaos, the ordinary people
are suffering. In the violence-affected areas, intolerance to
crime is rising and the retributions for criminals are harsh.
In Kisumu, for example, members of the public are fighting gangs
erecting illegal 'roadblocks'. On February 5, three people were
killed, two shot by police and the other lynched by the public
after they erected a roadblock at Nyalenda. In Alego Usonga, two
others were lynched.
Once normalcy returns, it is possible these criminals will move
out to look for 'jobs' possibly in other urban areas and 'export'
their criminal activities. Post political violence normalcy could
be characterized by rising insecurity especially in towns such as
Nairobi and Mombasa.
Central Kenya pseudo-Mungiki
Mungiki has re-emerged from the shadows or rather shadowy criminal
groups are emerging to claim the Mungiki mantle. Hate and
threatening leaflets circulated in the region warning members,of
the Luo and Kalenjin communities, to quit some areas were
attributed to the group. Reports indicate a possibility of new
criminal groups operating as Mungiki targeting land and property
owners in Central Kenya and parts of Nairobi such as Kibera,
Huruma, Dandora, Mathare, Kariobangi, Githurai and KahawaWest for
extortion. Elsewhere in Limuru and Naivasha, pseudo-Mungiki gangs
acting as morality police are enforcing dress codes among women.
On January 4, for example, women wearing trousers were stripped
and robbed in Limuru. On the same day, another group was harassing
women in Naivasha. Whereas it is possible these gangs are new
outfits, it is also likely that the people behind them could be
leaders of Mungiki cells that went silent following a government
crackdown in July 2007.
Mt Elgon Militias
Possibly taking advantage of the chaos witnessed after the polls,
there are reports that the Mt Elgon area has spawned three other
militia groups, further complicating the security situation in the
area. These have been formed to counter the Saboti Land Defence
Force which controls Kopsiro and Cheptais divisions. The new
groups are the 'Janjaweed Militia', the 'Moorland Defence Forces'
and the 'Progressive Defence Force' all reportedly allied to rival
local politicians. The Saboti militia, while initially active in
Mt Elgon, recently spread its attacks to Bungoma and Trans Nzoia
districts. It has also started taxing people in the area it
controls. However, following displacement of people in the area,
the militia is raiding cattle in neighbouring districts for sale
in Uganda in return for bullets and other supplies. With the entry
of the other militia groups, the situation will be complicated and
could undermine the state of security in the surrounding areas.
Central Rift Warriors
It is probable that organized criminal groups may have been
responsible for the violence in Central Rift owing to the
systematic manner it was executed. In the new flare-ups in Sotik/Borabu
area, police admitted on February 5, that a well-organized militia
was behind the violence. At the beginning of the
attacks on February 2, local leaders had alleged that the
perpetrators had been transported into the area by lorries and
appeared well organized. The attacks in Rift Valley appear to bear
a similar execution plan. Many victims in the Central Rift areas
affected by violence Eldoret, Nakuru, Burnt Forest and Mau Summit
allege that youth gangs, transported in lorries, as being the
attackers.
Other Gangs
Further organized crime gangs have been reported in Nakuru's
Kaptembwa, Ponda Mali, Githima and Ngambo areas where the gangs
have taken over houses belonging to displaced people and rented
them out.
In Nairobi estates such as Mathare North, Dandora and Huruma,
gangs have taken over parts of the residential areas, rented out
houses and even set up their own 'administrative' structures.
Illegal arms
A significant 'arms race'may be occurring in the Central Rift.
Somehow, it looks as if communities are determined to acquire
firearms by whatever means including raiding police stations. On
February 1, for example, a 50-man gang attempted to attack Mogotio
Police Station but were repulsed. One of the
attackers was killed. On the same day in Ainamoi, an
Administration Police post (DO's office) was attacked. A policeman
was killed, 4 guns and 308 bullets stolen. The area chief was also
attacked, his office and residence burnt down. On February 2, a
gang attempted to attack Kabarnet Police Station in a bid to 'free'
a councillor locked up for incitement. Twenty suspects were
arrested. On February 3, nine AK 47 rifles were recovered from
gun-runners in West Pokot. On February 4, the four guns stolen
from the police armoury in Kericho were recovered. However, the
ammunition was not. Five more guns were recovered in Kericho on
February 5 and 10 suspects arrested after police mounted an
operation in Nyagacho, Motobo, Ainamoi, Kapsuser and Kapsoit areas.
Police Clampdown
Police response to the crisis seems to be improving and becoming
tougher. There has been reorganization across the police units
Administration and Regular in the areas affected by violence. This
has affected both junior and senior ranks. On February 3, Nairobi
police commanders met to strategize on beating the creeping
lawlessness. On February 4, the Commissioner of Police met senior
commanders in the provinces.
Crackdown on Violence Perpetrators
Police have also formed a team that has been detailed to
investigate the clashes. Arrests and prosecutions are continuing.
On February 6, police announced a reward for information leading
to the arrest of individuals who sponsored or committed the
violence.
The police crackdown on inciters and perpetrators of political
violence seems to be increasing. On February 5, current and former
leaders were interrogated in Eldoret and Mombasa. More than 50
suspects were also charged in court between February 4 and 5.
There was also a sustained crackdown on gangs manning illegal
roadblocks. On February 1, 3 people were killed in Eldoret and 11
others arrested. Another was shot dead on the Kisumu-Kakamega
Road. In Kericho on the same day, nine more were shot dead.
Arsonists were also targetted. On February 1, one was shot dead as
a gang besieged a girls secondary school in Nyansiongo. In Nandi
North, police arrested 20 suspected arsonists at Kosirai and
recovered looted property. In Naivasha on February 3, a looter was
shot dead. In Mau Summit, Kuresoi, three arsonists found torching
houses on February 4 were shot dead.
Selected Crime Incidents
Riots occurred in Kericho, Kakamega and Eldoret following the
killing of Ainamoi MP on January 31.
Two buildings were torched in Kericho, six fuel tankers were
burned at Kapsoit and students hostels were burned at Masinde
Muliro University in Kakamega.
Suspected raiders raided Egerton University, Njoro and stole
several cattle on February 1. Arsonists burned Koru secondary
School in Nyando to prevent it from opening. Teachers also lost
property.
In Uasin Gishu, 152 Administration Police officers were
transferred from the area “to reorganize the
force” in the troubled district. There were claims of partisanship
by the officers.
On February 3, nine AK 47 rifles were intercepted inWest Pokot.
Suspected gun runners were arrested.
On February 3, arsonists looted and razed a church-sponsored
orphanage in Eldoret on claims it was
being run by “foreigners”.
On February 3, in Nairobi a man was shot dead at Red Hill Road.
The assailants stole mobile phones from him.
On February 3, senior police officers in Borabu and Nyamira were
shuffled following allegations of bias in their handling of the
violence.
On February 4, bandits attacked three lorries at Harambee on the
Hola-Garsen Road. They stole money and valuables.
Three people escaped death after arsonists torched their vehicle
on February 4 after it developed mechanical problems at Cheplaskei
on the Eldoret-Nakuru road.
A Mombasa couple were murdered by their houseboy on February 5.
The houseboy also stole money and jewellery from them.
In Migori, along the Isebania-Kisii road, carjackers attacked a
matatu on February 5, robbing passengers.
A youth gang suspected to be linked to Mungiki, sneaked into Nyayo
Highrise Estate (Mbagathi Way)
and marked houses belonging to a certain ethnic community on
February 6. There are fears of attack.
Cattle rustlers raided Ol Moran in Laikipia and stole 200 animals.
Three people were shot and seriously injured in the incident on
February 6.
In Njoro, police shot dead two suspected robbers on February 6 and
recovered a rifle after foiling a
robbery on Egerton University.
Outlook
The return to normality is expected to continue although this
maybe affected by political pronouncements or a threat for further
'mass action' protests. Although the calm is still perilous,
security may only be affected in the flashpoints that have come to
define political violence Kisumu, Eldoret and some parts of
Central Rift, and parts of Nairobi.
|
