CONFLICT EARLY WARNING AND EARLY RESPONSE CONFLICT BRIEF NO 1. 9th APRIL 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/).
During this period the country has continued to record increasing numbers of COVID-19 infection cases as most of its population grapples with the regulations to prevent further infections. There are currently 179 confirmed reports of infection with Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale being affected by these infections.
The National government has introduced measures to curb the spread of the disease that include the introduction and enforcement of a curfew as from 7p.m to 5a.m, introduction of hand washing points within all business premises and use of face masks and sanitizers by public transport providers. The latest regulations introduced included the restriction of intercounty movements between Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Nairobi Counties.
Following these regulations some counties have setup checking points along their boundaries to prevent spreading of the infections. These include Taita Taveta and Tana River. As a result of these regulations, the below stated were observed and reported within Mombasa and Tana River Counties through the network of peace monitors:
COUNTY CONFLICT AND SECURITY INCIDENCES WEEKLY
001 Mombasa County
Many residents within Mombasa recorded some level of compliance to the National government’s directives. Business people have set up hand washing points including grocery vendors, Shops and butcheries. Many estates have also set up hand washing equipment at their own costs.
Public transportation has also adhered to the regulation to carry 8 passengers for 14 sitter matatus and 2 passengers for saloon cars. These service providers have also adhered to the use of face masks however many bodaboda and tuktuk operators are yet to adopt this. A large number of bodabodas and tuktuks still carry their normal numbers of 2 and 3 passengers respectively with the former carrying as far as 3 passengers in some instances.
The county government and other well-wishers are heeding to the Presidential call to help those affected with the loss of livelihoods as a result businesses shutting down by distributing food stuffs in informal settlement areas of within Tudor and Changamwe. This process was however marred with claims of favourism.
Many residents have complained of the restricted movements by the president especially business people operating their businesses within Kilifi and Tana River Counties. They have faulted the government’s commitment to ensure Kenyans to continue to meet their daily needs. These statements are already stirring up feelings of marginalization among communities living in these coastal counties who feel the government is out to prevent their economic growth.
Gender based violence and child sexual abuse were reported as many people stay within their homes to prevent COVID-19 infections. 2 such incidences were reported in Kisuani area with 5 other unconfirmed reports in the same area. This situation is seen to have the potential to worsen as law enforcement officers are engaged in the ensuring residents comply with the COVID-19 prevention regulations.
There were several number of incidences reported of residents who were beaten by law enforcement for not complying with the government curfew. 4 cases were reported in Mtopanga and Kadzandani area within Nyali constituency. These cases have however since reduced since the onset of the curfew enforcement period where several cases of human rights violation were witnessed.
There is increased rumor mongering over the distribution of food by the county government of Mombasa that has continued to raise fears of conflicts among people who have benefited from the aid and those who are yet to receive any food stuffs.
The county has seen a proliferation of the face mask vendors with raising fears being communicated over the KECOSCE EWER system over their safety. Several post are being shared on social media sites warning people of new trends criminals are using posing to be selling face masks laced with chemicals that aid them to rob unsuspecting community members.
003 Tana River County
Tana River County has not recorded any case of COVID -19 infections however the county has already closed its boundaries to those travelling into it from other counties. In a show of its commitment to this several vehicles transporting Miraa and Muguka from Garissa and Mombasa Counties were impounded. The County has also set up testing points along its boundaries with Kilifi and Lamu Counties.
Many residents have adhered to the call to set up hand washing points and the use of sanitizers. However many are yet to adhere to calls of social distancing with especially the elders claiming that this was in contravention of their culture.
Many business people were forced to close their businesses as the county government enforced its local directives to curb the spread of COVID-19. This has resulted to demonstrations by the business people in Hola and Garsen, with some of these demonstrations being held around County Commissioner’s office demanding that they be allowed to continue running their businesses as they do not have other means of feeding their families. There are reports that these demonstrations could trigger violent inter- ethnic conflict owning to the scramble for the scarce resources for livelihoods.
Owing to their past experiences many residents have adhered to the curfew with no incidences of residence being beaten by the police due to non-compliance. One person was suspected to have COVID-19 and has been isolated in Garsen Health Centre. The suspect is said to have travelled from Mombasa and exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 upon his arrival in Garsen leading to his isolation within the health Centre. Many residents are now fear accessing the Centre since this incident and it is feared that this could lead to poor health of many residents within Tana River County who depend on this medical facility.
On 10th April 2020, the police invaded an IDP camp at Garsen – Hola junction at 4am in the morning and destroyed the temporary houses rendering many of the IDP’s homeless with no place to shelter during the heavy rainfall that is being witnessed in the county. Women and Children have reported to have been beaten and injured, prompting anger from the residents of Tana delta who felt that this act was uncalled for especially at this time when the country is calling for people to stay at home. 5 IDP Camps exist in Garsen which are purely homogenously settled by the Pokomo, Ormas and Wardei. The decision by the Government to dismantle Pokomo settlement has created a recipe for rumors over ethnic conflict and facilitated lack of trust between security officers and the said community.
The DCC Tana delta has defended the demolitions saying the decision to dismantle the camp was in line with Government directives not allowing people in crowded places and observing hygiene and social distance. The County Government through the ministry of land and department of special programs issued blankets, tents and food to affected people and urged the residents to stay calm as they resolve the matter.