BRIEF CONFLICT EARLY WARNING AND EARLY RESPONSE REPORT – WEEKLY CONFLICT BRIEF NO 5 OF 12 MAY 2020
INTRODUCTION
Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSCE) is implementing the SADES-K project with the financial support from USAID. The project has reinvigorated the Coast Early warning and Early Response mechanism to specifically collect, collate and share early warning information on community conflict and insecurity issues within Tana River and Mombasa Counties. The system is served by monitors positioned at identified conflict hotspot areas within the two counties as well as crowd sources information from the public. Real time alerts are published on the KECOSCE crowd map (an online platform accessed at https://kecosce.crowdmap.com/).
National and County Highlights
Kenya has recorded approximately 736 cases of COVID 19 infections with this number expected to increase in the coming days as mass testing exercise begins countrywide. This situation continues to have economic and social impacts on communities within the country as the government enforces its directives to prevent further spread of the disease. Within the Coast region, secession of inter county movements between Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa continues to be a big blow for the business people and those employed within the hospitality industry. Further, as Muslims observe the Holy Month of Ramadhan, the ban on public gatherings has greatly affected the normal prayers and breaking of the fast with government urging people to stay home.
Mombasa County recorded the highest number of cases of COVID-19 causing increased stringent measures by both the national and county government to prevent further spread. There has been secession of movement within the old town area of Mvita sub county in Mombasa. Mass testing also commenced within the area with locals shying away from the exercise in fear of quarantine and isolation. These residents have faulted the government for imposing directives that have denied them access to vital resources such as food, water and markets. Food distribution has continued amidst claims of favourism and poor accountability by law enforcement with many residents expected to access the aid missing out.
Following the pronouncement of Kilifi’s Governor Amason Kingi declaring the county COVID-19 free, residents of Kilifi have since show general disregard for the government prevention directives. Many have resolved to normal public gathering within drinking dens popularly known as mangweni.
Italian volunteer worker Silvia Constanca Romano, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen from Chakama in Kilifi County in November 2018, was released. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte confirmed the released of the Italian volunteer through his official Twitter page. Ms Romano was held captive for the last one year whereas the abductors demanded ransom from the Italian government and her family for her release. This forced deployment of a multi-agency team comprising of police and army officers sealed off Boni Forest and areas bordering Lamu, Garissa and Tana River counties
Residents of Tana River County continue to experience the devastating effects of floods with over 5000 people having been displaced from their villages. Many of the displaced have settled in temporary camps with law enforcement officers fearful of possibility of water borne disease outbreaks in the area. An impeachment notice to ouster the Deputy County governor has brought political tensions in the county. Sources close to both the governor and his deputy have revealed a fallout between the two in the run to the 2022 elections where it is alleged that both are seeking political realignments to better position them for the elections.
Analysis of the EWER system
In this period the system has received 46 messages through the Alert Number from 4th and 12th May 2020. Below is a table showing the different categories of the messages received.
