Food security improves in Turkana, but malnutrition remains high in north-eastern Kenya.. more click
According to nutrition survey results released by UNICEF, there is a significant reduction in malnutrition in Turkana and Marsabit, linked primarily to the broad network of outreach sites and measures such as blanket supplementary feeding programmes and general food distributions by UN agencies, Government, Kenyans4Kenyans initiative and several NGO partners. In contrast, a lack of improvement in nutrition conditions was found in Wajir, which UNICEF attributed to a variety of factors, including: rains, which resulted in flooding, loss of livelihood assets and disruption of transport; a break in the supplementary feeding programme pipeline in October and November 2011, affecting the treatment of 5,089 moderately malnourished children; and insecurity, resulting in the disruption of nutrition services at various locations. Other factors noted were morbidity and poor hygiene and sanitation. UNICEF anticipates improvements in food security in pastoral north and north-east regions as livestock return, leading to milk availability and better terms of trade.
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Conflict in Moyale escalates with more than 21 killed in January; up to 57,000 people displaced, some to Ethiopia.. more click
Conflict in Moyale district escalated in January with at least 21 people killed, thousands displaced and up to 57,316 displaced, many of whom have fled to Ethiopia for safety, according to reports from the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), UN agencies and media. The KRCS says 48 people have been killed in Moyale since October but caution that figures are still being verified. The scale of displacement into Ethiopia is also still being verified. The current spate of violent revenge attacks largely involves the Borana and Gabra communities. Traditionally inter-clan hostilities over natural resources and livestock thefts have sparked killings, but the current violence is tied to future elections and devolved political power under Kenya’s new constitution and new constituency boundaries. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) says the conflicts should be treated as election-related violence and called for quick and robust response. The NCIC stated that visits to Isiolo and Moyale established that the ongoing conflicts are politically motivated in anticipation of the 2012 election and called for urgency in addressing the tensions.
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Political leaders urge Kenyans to remain calm as the ICC confirms criminal charges against four Kenyans for the 2007/08 post-election violence... more click
The International Criminal Court (ICC) on 23 January confirmed charges to try four of the six Kenyans accused of bearing the largest responsibility in orchestrating violence after the 2007 Presidential elections. The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Member of Parliament William Ruto, radio journalist Joshua Arap Sang and Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura may face trial at the Hague, pending appeal. The ICC dismissed charges against the former Police Commissioner Mohammed Hussein Ali and the former Minister for Industrialisation Henry Kosgey because of insufficient evidence. The confirmation of charges sparked public debate in Kenya on whether the accused still holding public offices should resign. On 26 January, Kenyatta and Muthaura resigned from their public functions, although Kenyatta retains the position of Deputy Prime Minister. The NCIC joined political leaders to urge Kenyans to remain calm and stressed at public rallies and media briefings that the accused are still presumed innocent until proven guilty. Two of the accused, Kenyatta and Ruto, are potentially key political candidates in the next elections.
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IEBC concludes public hearings amidst protests from Central Province and Moyale... more click
The Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) closed a 21-day period of public hearings on new electoral boundaries and constituencies. The public hearings proceeded successfully but were marred by physical confrontations in Muranga and Lagdera constituencies where supporters from neighbouring communities demanded that new boundaries be redefined. The IEBC is reviewing public feedback and will present a report to Parliament to pass the bill on new constituencies in readiness for the next general elections.
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