EARLY WARNING EARLY WARNING AND EARLY RESPONSE MECHANISM WEEKLY BRIEF DATED FROM 6 TH TO 13 TH DECEMBER, 2023
1.0. Introduction.
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. We are currently operating in the coastal region of Kenya. Supported by diverse stakeholders including both state and non-state actors, the system receives data from the localities which is transmitted via phones to the Situational room for analysis and dissemination to stakeholders for action and/or information. This EWER brief provides an overview of the Peace and Security situation and proposes recommendations for early response.
Based on the analysis, the report recommends measures for mitigating the conflict to reduce the potential for escalation to violence. This report covers the weekly period between the 6th to 12th December, 2023.
2.0 KEY HIGHLIGHTS
1. Families displaced by floods continue to rely on humanitarian support in all the counties in the Coast.
2. Drug and substance abuse among minors continues to threaten the future of our youth
3. Social Media hate speech and polarization continue to threat peace and security.
3.0 WEEKLY SECURITY AND RISK SITUATION.
KECOSCE Early Warning System received a total of 13 reports (38.9% decrease) in the following categories;
1. Violence Against Civilians: 5 Events.
2. Intercommunal resource-based and flood related events: 4 Events
3. Terror related: 2 events.
Details on the Current Situation
1. Approximately 25,000 families who have been affected by the rains continue to seek humanitarian support.
Although there were no new no casualties reported in the Coast region, thousands of people in camps face the threat of outbreak of diseases and shortage of supplies. The risk remains high in Tana River county especially in Kulesa, Hewani among other areas in Tana Delta. The same case in Kwale, Mombasa and Kilifi counties which received unpresented rains over the last weeks. According to our sources, majority of the families require not only food and nonfood items but also restoration of damaged infrastructure like toilets, water, health and access to medicine for the sick.
2. Drug and substance abuse among minors contributing to high juvenile gang actions in the coast.
Majority parents and law enforcement agencies in Mombasa county are decrying the vulnerability of children during the school holidays. Kisauni sub county remains the most affected in Mombasa due to substance addiction among the youths. Bamburi and Junda locations in Kisauni have the highest number of affected juveniles.
Five youths were arrested and detained at Central police in Mombasa for armed robbery within Mombasa Town. The five had captured themselves on video which went viral leading to their arrest. Authorities appealed to the public whose valuables such as phones had been robbed to present themselves in the Central police station as evidence is gathered to present the suspects to the court.
Another 3 notorious gang members believed to be leaders of juvenile gangs in Kisauni were arrested in Bamburi area and detained at Mjambere police station. The OCS directed anyone from the public whose valuables had been stolen to report to the station and aid in the investigation before the 3 are presented to the court.
In Kilifi County, Police officers nabbed 477 kilograms of bhang valued at Ksh14 million. In a statement, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed the arrest of two suspects. The two were arrested in Kilifi South’s Shariani area. According to the police statement, the officers also impounded a motor vehicle which was transporting the drugs, a Toyota Harrier.
Land and water disputes
During this week the EWER system received reports over increasing family disputes on land ownership mostly in Kilifi County. The conflicts have been subject to security scrutiny with at least five (5) elders murdered by suspected family members over land ownership and desire to sell land.
In Lamu County, tension has been high this week following clash of words between local leaders and the government over land ownership. Some civil society leaders have called for a thorough land audit to sort out land conflicts in the county. As a response, the president who visited the county this week promised to do whatever it takes to curb insecurity in Lamu County and take decisive action against those inciting people against each other. Lamu county has witnessed increased influx of migrant communities and business people attracted by the new port and the ongoing infrastructure projects in the county.
Residents in Taita Taveta’s Voi town complained about the decision by the Coast Water Works Development Agency that disconnected water supply in parts of Voi over an outstanding bill of sh 688 million from the County. This decision does not just affect families but also health institutions like health centers exposing patients to more danger.
Social Media – the new front for violent extremism and radicalization in Mombasa.
Social media has been identified the single most used platform for recruitment to violent extremism and radicalization. Local administrators in Kisauni sub county have called on parents to remain more vigilante after one youth was reported to have been radicalized through social media.
In Lamu County, the Cabinet Secretary for interior Prof. Kidhiki ordered the arrest of five leaders for using social media to incite locals along ethnic, religious and political lines. According to the Cabinet secretary some local leaders are politicizing insecurity to take advantage of fear caused to residents to evict others.