Explaining the upsurge of violence in Kenya and possible solutions

Date: 2014-07-31

Time: 09:00 to 13:00

Venue: Conference Room, ISS Nairobi

For some time now, Kenya has been witnessing a lethal cocktail of violence and inter-communal conflict, especially along the coast and in the north-eastern regions of the country. This growing insecurity has not only adversely affected the country’s economy, but also threatens social cohesion in Kenya by sowing division among communities.

What explains the recent upsurge in violence and why has the government not stopped this worrying trend? Bringing together representatives of diplomatic missions, government officials, academics and members of civil society groups, the seminar generated discussion on the key issues that underpin rising insecurity.

These include historical problems relating to sharing of national resources, marginalisation and the appropriation of land. Other talking points included the denial of civic rights and citizenship especially to ethnic Somalis; the way in which the blame for incidents of insecurity and violent extremism has been laid on sections of the Somali and Muslim communities at the coast; and the general disenfranchisement as a result of poverty and relative deprivation.

Kenya’s intervention in Somalia was also discussed in light of retaliatory attacks that had taken place. Insecurity in north-eastern Kenya seems to be increased by the returning young men who had been recruited from the region by the Kenyan government to support the nascent government of Somalia; along with high-handed responses from government, which often inflame insecurity instead of eradicating it.

The issue of Kenya’s 2010 constitution was also raised. While devolution had positively contributed to the restructuring of governance architecture, it has also created new problems of marginalisation, thus heightening ethnic tensions. In Mandera County, for example, devolution had contributed to rising resentment among the minority so-called Corner tribe and others. These groups feel marginalised in the county government in terms of access to resources, jobs and education.

In Lamu County, sections of local populations also feel dominated by communities who were relocated to these regions after independence by the political class. Similarly in the Rift Valley, post-independence land redistribution has led to informed incidents of election-related violence. It was noted that extremists groups such as al-Shabaab have exploited these grievances to further their extremist ideology and violence, especially at the Kenyan Coast. It was also observed that criminal gangs were gaining enhanced operational capability;, a matter that was compounded by the availability of training grounds.

Regarding Kenya’s presence in Somalia and allegations over involvement in charcoal and sugar trade through the port of Kisimayu (issues that has been exploited by al-Shabaab), panellists agreed on the need to consider redeploying the Kenyan troops elsewhere inside Somalia. They also underscored the need to open channels of communication with al-Shabaab and other militant groups as a better way to promoting peace and putting an end to insecurity within Kenya’s borders.

Overall, speakers cautioned that there is a real possibility of an insurgency in Kenya if current trends are not changed. There were also concerns over the possible regionalisation of the violence and insecurity – particularly given the increasing convergence of objectives between entities such as the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC), al-Shabaab and militant groups in Zanzibar.

In terms of options for resolving these matters, it was observed that the military approach should be a last resort. Panellists underscored the need for community-based approaches in countering violence and radicalisation. For structural grievances, it was observed that there was sufficient documentation including Kenya’s Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, the Akiwumi report, the Kriegler report and the Ndungu report on what should be done – especially with regard to land and other structural problems. Other suggestions included promoting inclusive governance and political processes.

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