The “Security Situation in Kenya”
For those who want to get the dirt on the apparent security situation in Kenya, I’ve cut and pasted the weekly security briefing that all employees receive each week in their email inbox. It’s an interesting document, sometimes written with a fair bit of figurative language (“the howling mob cried for the witch’s death”) and I’m often at a loss as to what the purpose of the briefing is. Is it to inform, illuminate, explain, and scare? I think that it’s a bit of all these things, and should be taken with a lot of salt. I personally don’t agree that it is wise to deliberately frighten people; and I would appreciate it if some historical context was given along with the evil, but hey, just to let you know, the head of the security division is former Mossad.
The district areas described outside of Nairobi–Western, Eastern, and the like, are outlaw areas for all people, not just foreigners. Crimes in Nairobi are crimes targeted against obvious targets, targets of opportunity–atleast that’s my impression–and I still maintain that walking around and knowing your neighbours is the best security you can have in the city.
An “s/m” is shorthand for ’staff member.’
Enjoy, and don’t believe the hype: this is fact, but the distillate of all the bad that happens in a country. The country report on the United States, for instance, would not read very well in comparison, especially if you included Guantanamo Bay incidents.
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1.General:
The security situation in Nairobi remains calm and stable, however, over the past week we have had three non injury road traffic accident , two robberies incident and one shooting incident reported. you are advised to remain alert and vigilant.
The Security and Safety Service wish to note that due to the congestion that has been witnessed at the Parking within the Bank, Commissary and Post office area, its advised that Staff members should not Park there for a whole day. Staff should utilize other parking areas in the complex, this is to allow the parking to be open to Bank, commissary users and Commercial vehicles ONLY. The new commissary is being awaited to be opened, probably before December 2008. Any Vehicle found parked for a whole day will be clamped by Security, kindly comply.
Security Tips of the week
Please see comments below from the DPU Liaison Officer Mr. Jack Klassen for your information.
“We have many inquiries about Kenya Traffic Laws. Please see below the Laws of Kenya as they apply to Safety Triangles, Mobile Telephones and Seat Belts.
The on-line web site for all Kenya Law is: http://www.kenyalaw.org/kenyalaw/klr_app/frames.php. All Kenya Traffic Laws are published on this site.
In fact, the aspect of safety is paramount here:
22A. (1) With effect from the 1st July, 1987, every motor vehicle in any of the classes specified in this paragraph first registered after the 31st June, 1987 shall be equipped and fitted with seat belts in the manner specified—
(3) No vehicle shall be used or driven on a road after the 1st December, 1987, unless it is fitted and equipped with seat belts in accordance with this rule and the owner of any vehicle driven in contravention of this rule shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of five hundred shillings in respect of each seat belt that is not fitted or which is fitted but is not of the proper standard or specification.
(4) No person shall, after the 1st December, 1987, be in a motor vehicle which is in motion on a public road and occupy a seat in that vehicle in respect of which a seat belt is fitted in accordance with this rule without wearing the seat belt, and any person who does not so wear a seat belt shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to a fine of one hundred shillings.
(8) For the purposes of section 53 (2) (aa) of the Act, the reflecting triangles shall be of the dimensions specified in Part IV of the Tenth Schedule and shall be constructed in accordance with the Kenya Standard Specification for portable reflective warning triangles for motor vehicles being standard No. KS 03-815: 1987.
2. Nairobi Incidents :
On 28 August at about 2200 hrs, a staff member was shot by gangsters while alighting from a taxi at the gate of his residence in Thika. He was injured as a result of the gun shot and rushed Thika Hospital for treatment. Police officers from Thika Police station attended the scene.
On 29 August 2008 at 0540hrs thugs confronted a s/m while driving along Kikuyu Road and robbed him of his car, cash and a cell phone. The incident occurred as he was dropping a friend at Muthama Township. The incident was reported to Nairobi Area Police and DPU.
On 29 August 2008 at 0620hrs a gang of four armed men posing as police officers robbed a s/m and taxi driver of their cash and drove away with the car after abandoning them near Bible College. The incident happened in Kitengela area while the s/m was being taken home by Jim Cab Taxi. The taxi was later found abandoned in Athi River Township. Nairobi Area Police and DPU were informed.
On 1 September 2008 at 0800hrs a unknown person tricked a s/m that, something was under her car and when the s/m opened the door to check, the man snatched a bag containing cash and personal effects. The incident was reported to central Police station and DPU.
On 02 September 2008 at about 0830 hrs a s/m was driving along Parklands Road when suddenly a cyclist crossed the road as a result of which he was hit by the car. After the incident the cyclist hurriedly took off with his bicycle. No injuries reported. The s/m was advised to report to DPU
On 02 September 2008 at 1705hrs a s/m was driving along the Cathedral Road when an overlapping Matatu hit her car from behind and caused damages to the rear bumper. Traffic police officers from DPU attended the scene.
On 02 September 2008 at about 1700 hrs a Matatu rammed into a s/m’s car at the GSU roundabout and damaged fuel jerry cans. Traffic police officers from Kasarani police station attended the scene. No injuries reported.
3. Up-Country Incidents :
RIFT VALLEY PROVINCE
Turkana District
Overview
Misfortunes befell Turkana districts once more after Toposa bandits from Southern Sudan mounted massive deadly attacks that left over 20 Turkanas dead and over 600 head of cattle stolen in Lokichoggio division, and driven into Southern Sudan. The Toposa’s offensive sent a warning that the previous peace and reconciliatory resolutions between them and the Turkanas were no longer valid despite fruitless attempts by the Lokichoggio District officer request to the warring communities to observe peace and tolerance. The Toposa bandits weren’t mincing words as they yet again launched another deadly attack in Solia in Lokichoggio Killing 8 Turkanas and raided over 500 head of cattle. According to Intelligent report, the deadly Toposas were on a revenge mission to recover their animals that were raided by the Turkanas a month ago.
However the Kenya Government has sought interference from their Sudanese counterparts in a bid to recover all the raided animals and at the same time seek a long lasting solution to the conflict. Meanwhile, the Southern sector remained calm although speculations were rife that the Pokots could be planning on how to execute simultaneous raids in Kainuk, Katilu, Lomelo and Lokori divisions. However Turkanas on the other hand are armed to the teeth ready to counter any future attacks by Pokots after suffering heavy casualties 2 months ago. The security machinery is on standby to counter the standoff. The Ethiopian and Ugandan borders remained calm. The Kitale –Lodwar –Lokichoggio highway was also calm.
Elsewhere a Lodwar councilor who escaped from Lodwar police station one month ago was re-arrested. He is being suspected to be being the murder of the late Lodwar Kenya commercial bank manager. Separately in Lorugum, a 16yr old girl was raped repeatedly by 2 thugs that were later nabbed by the police. And the weather remained extremely hot, dusty and dry. Below are incidents reported as follows:
On 27.8.08, along Lodwar Kalokol road, 8 people perished in a grisly road accident, when the car they were traveling in rolled several times after a tyre burst. The bodies were taken to Lodwar district morgue.
On 27.8.08, a councilor who escaped from Lodwar police station 2 months ago was re-arrested. He reported to the police station after a warrant of arrest to re-arrest him was issued by the magistrate. He is being suspected to be behind the murder of Lodwar Kenya Commercial Bank Manager four months ago. A mobile phone belonging to the deceased was found in his possession. He was charged with robbery with violence and escaping from Police cell.
On 28.8.08, in Lorugum location Turkana Central district, a 16 yr old girl was raped repeatedly by 2 gangs. The victim was heading home from school at Kalemnyang, when she was confronted by the two thugs who assaulted her and later dragged her to the bush where they raped her. They culprits were later arrested by the police and charged.
On 28.8.08, in Kapenguria court, in West Pokot district, 2 people were charged with impersonating and obtaining money by pretending they could recruit youths into the military. The accused denied the charges and were remanded in custody after the prosecution opposed their application to be released on bond.
On 29.8.08, at about 0400hrs, in Solia village in Lokichoggio Division, about 30 heavily armed Toposa bandits raided the area and killed 8 Turkanas before stealing over 500 head of cattle that were driven towards Southern Sudan. By the time the contingent of Kenya Army and regular police arrived at the scene 4 hours after, the bandits had caused a lot of mayhem and left for Sudan..
Comments
Tension remained high in Lokichoggio division near the Sudanese border following deadly attacks by the Toposa bandits. The Southern sector remained calm although there are speculations that Pokot could be planning for a revenge mission soon .The threat has led Turkanas to be on a high alert and on standby ready to counter future attacks by Pokot.. Hence staffs are still advised to be extra careful while operating in those areas by strictly adhering to SOPs and related travel advisories.
Uasin Gishu (Eldoret) and Other Areas
Uasin Gishu district and the neighboring localities were generally calm over the period under review. And the Military Operation aimed at rooting out the remaining Saboat Land Defence force militiamen from Mt Elgon District continues. Below is a tabulation of incidents as they occurred:
On 26.8.08, residents of Mt Elgon district requested the Government to exhume about 46 bodies of their relatives who were hacked to death by members of the Saboat Land Defence Force so that they could accord them decent burials. The residents also speculated that more people could have been killed by the militias and thrown into water wells and latrines in the controversial Cheybuk settlement scheme. They hailed the military saying it had done a commendable job in the area and scoffed at those questing for their withdrawal.
On 26.8.06, at about 0300hrs, in Ekerenyo division Nyamira district, 5 armed robbers armed with swords hijacked a Nyamira bound bus, ransacked the passengers and raped two women before fleeing on foot. The robbers were traveling in the bus belonging to Nyamira Express and ordered the driver to drive off the route where they conducted their mission.
On 26.8.08, at Eldoret court, an IPD was fined Ksh 5,000 for threatening to cut a woman with a panga in her tent. The victim screamed and attracted a crowd that rescued her.
On 27.8.08, in Kericho, at about 1800hrs, nine suspects escaped from a local court. They included robbery with violence and rape suspect. The nine initially appeared in Kericho court and were waiting to be taken to the Kericho GK prison, when they run away. Police have launched investigations into the incident.
Comments
Uasin Gishu and the neighboring districts were generally calm. However, both the Amnesty and Mau forest debates are still a threat to resettlement operation in Rift Valley and elsewhere.
EASTERN PROVINCE
Marsabit/Moyale/Samburu/Isiolo/Laikipia
The districts were generally calm with few incidences reported as follows:
Moyale
Kenyan and Ethiopian authorities have asked local communities living along the border regions to stop crossing the border with weapons. The request comes after a group of Ethiopian pastoralists were fired upon by Kenyan police reservists in Mansile. GSU are reported to be patrolling along the Moyale/Isiolo road to reduce potential banditry which has increased due to drought and increased cattle raiding.
Marsabit
Tension is reported high in both Marsabit and Chalbi district. This is due to a miasma of raiding between the Boranas and Rendilles and the Turkana and Gabras. Apparently the road between Laisamis and Logo Logo about 30 kms north of Laisamis is now being targeted by Rendille bandits due to the loss of cattle from these raids.
Chalbi
Nine GABRA tribes’ people were killed on Monday the 25 th by Turkana raiders. The incident happened when Turkana raiders raided a Gabra community in the Chalbi Distirct and stole herds of livestock. The Gabra gave chase but were attacked by the Turkana who killed nine and wounded 33 others, 8 of whom were airlifted to Nairobi for treatment. Two raiders and one police reservist were also killed in the attack.
Comments
Staffs visiting the districts are advised to make sure they call on local police stations for security updates in the regions they intend to visit.
North Eastern Province
Mandera Districts
Overview
There has been a lot of tension within Mandera town following reports that Al shabab fighters were in town spying on Bare shille militias who were routed from their base in Kisimayu whether they were escaping into Mandera town as intelligence has that they are planning a major onslaught on the militia base currently at Dolow. Crime against the person has also increased with attacks and theft from people going about their business in town. There is a still banditry attack along the Elwak-Mandera highway and tension at Wargadud between the Garre and Murulle which fortunately has not broken into. The government on its part has carried out a sting operation within Mandera town to net suspected muggers and foreigners and at the war front, they carried out an operation which yielded two rifles and an assortment of ammunition but no arrest.
Mandera East District
The following incidents of interest were reported in the district:
On the 26/08/08, tension was high in Mandera town where it was reported that a militia leader of Marehan clan had moved into Bula hawa in Somalia and that the Al-shabah brigade were hot on his heels. Women and children started running away from Bula Hawa expecting fighting but instead the militia opted to settle at Dolow next to the Ethiopians who are his allies. The government intensified security patrols along the border to check the influx of undesired elements.
On the 31/08/08, the police carried out an operation to flush out foreigners where they arrested 6 of them on suspicion for spying on behalf of the Al-shabah brigade. They are still being held and are assisting with investigations.
Mandera West District
The District was relatively calm the period under review. The Ethiopia border also remained incident free.
Mandera Central District
The district was relatively calm during the period under review probably due to high presence of security personnel in the frontal area .The following incidents were reported:
On the 29/08/08, the security personnel recovered two rifles with an assortment of ammunition which indicates that the owners were surprised by the security team at Guramathow in Lafey. This happens to be the war zone for the two communities but no one was arrested in connection because both clans deny ownership.
On 30/08/08, at about 0700hrs armed people shot at miraa vehicles transporting the khats. No injuries were reported. This happened at Guramathow-Lafey junction. It is believed they are part of the fighters escaping the joint operation in the interior of Wargadud.
Wajir
Overview
Peace and tranquility continued to be enjoyed in the entire four districts of the wider Wajir. The international and territorial boundaries continued to be calm with no incidents reported. Drought continue to ravage the district but so far community confrontations have not been experienced though the invasion of Wajir east by livestock from Mandera central in search of pasture and water might cause imbalance in the tranquility but the provincial administrators and other actors are closely watching the unfolding scenario.
Wajir East/West/North/South Districts
The district remained calm and peaceful.
Garissa/Ijara Districts
Overview
Security in most areas remained generally calm with no serious insecurity incidences. However, fighting between the TFG, warlords and ICU in the neighboring Somalia intensified during the period whereby the latter wrestled most of the neighboring Somali towns and port of Kismayu from warlords and the government. Consequently, Somalia nationals fleeing their country into Kenya for refuge has increased tremendously, making effective security manning of the porous international boundary more difficult. As a result, unscreened Somali aliens including defeated militia members are getting into the region undetected through unclassified routes. Several aliens were arrested and arraigned in court for being in the country illegally. Others with bullet wounds were grunted entry for treatment at Hagadera and Liboi hospitals. So far, the situation has not had serious impact on UN operations in the region.
Garissa district and Ijara districts
Most parts of the district remained generally calm in spite of increased turmoil in the neighboring Somalia.
Comments
Possession of illicit firearms by locals in Tana River, Garissa and Ijara districts continues to make security in the areas uncertain.
Coast Province
Tana River Districts
Low level tension between Wardei and Orma continued at Bura division but no related insecurity incidences were reported. One murder case occurred at Kipini town as below;
On 1.9.2008 at around 2300hrs, at Kipini town, unknown gunmen shot dead a male shopkeeper. Police are investigating the case but so far no arrests have been made.
On behalf of the Designated Official and the Security Management Team, Your Security Service wish you a peaceful and incident-free weekend.
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