1.0. Introduction.

Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSCE) www.kecosce.org is a Non Governmental Organization based in Mombasa. KECOSCE has over the last decade provided weekly peace and security analysis and early warning reports to both state and non-state actors. KECOSCE’s Coast Early Warning System uses a volunteer monitoring network to gather data and information about rising tensions among communities which have the potential to escalate to violence.

THIS BRIEF

This Peace and Security weekly brief covers the period between the 1st to 16th January, 2024 with the following key highlights.

2.0 KEY HIGHLIGHTS

1. National protests continue on the independence of Kenya’s Judiciary.
2. Sexual and Gender based violence on the rise in Mombasa County
3. Criminal violence on the rise in Mombasa, Kilifi and Tana River counties .

3.0 WEEKLY SECURITY AND RISK SITUATION.

KECOSCE’s Early Warning System received a total of 16 reports (23.08% increase) from the previous week. The reports have been categorized using the following indicators.

1. Violent Crimes: 3 Events.
2. Protests/riots: 2 Events
3. Early Warnings: 6 events.
4. Dangerous speech and Polarization: 1
5. Strategic Development and Interventions;

Details on the Current Situation

1. PROTESTS

This category includes in-person public demonstration of three or more participants in which the participants do not engage in violence, though violence may be used against them.

On January 16, 2024, residents of Changamwe’s National Housing Corporation estate in Mombasa protested against the government’s plan to evict them and pave way for the government affordable housing project.

Then, on January 12, 2024 Mombasa Law Society of Kenya Members held a protest in Mombasa town. The protest was in solidarity with the legal fraternity countrywide to strongly criticize the President’s onslaught on the judiciary and litigants pursuing court cases against government decisions.

2. VIOLENT CRIMES.

We define Violent crimes as “behaviors by individuals that intentionally threaten, attempt, or inflict physical harm on others” This includes a diverse assortment of behaviors, including homicide, assault, robbery (theft accompanied by force or threat), rape, torture, capital punishment, etc.

During this period, we recorded three (3) reports from Mombasa, Kilifi as well as Tana River counties. In Mombasa, the following localities remain insecure Kadzandani, Qadiriya, VOK, links road and Kongowea in Nyali; in Shell Beach, Jamvi la Wageni and Likoni Ferry in Likoni sub county and in Bamburi in Kisauni.

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) raided illegal drugs in Nyali subcounty and arrested of more than 45 suspects.
New shopping malls like the Promenade Mall are being targeted by thieves. A woman was robbed by outside the mall by thieves who escaped using a motor cycle.

3. EMERGING THREATS TO PEACE AND SECURITY.

Natural resources based conflicts: As communities continue to scramble over water and pasture in Tana River County, A family in Maziwa location in Garsen, lives in fear over threats by another armed family member. A report has already been filled at Serra police station Human/wildlife conflicts have been reported majorly in Kinango, Kwale county. A bodaboda rider was reportedly killed following a suspected lion attack along Kwale- Kinango road on January 1, 2024.

Recruitment of new officers by the National Police Reserve in Tana Delta sparked public outcry amid allegations of corruption, discrimination, political interference and insensitivity. The matter was reported to the Deputy County Commissioner for investigation and intervention.

4. VIOLENT EXTREMISM.

The threat of Terrorism continues to threaten the economic and social cohesion in the Coast region. Diplomatic missions led by the UK have issued travel advisory to its nationals against travelling to parts of the coastal regions in Tana River and Lamu counties. The advisory warned the UK citizens against non-essential travels to specific areas such as north of the Tana River and within 15km of the coast between the Tana River and the Galana River that they mapped to be volatile due to the effect of the high Al-Shabaab activity. In Lamu the advisory excluded Amu and Manda islands.

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