HIGHLIGHTS
- Kenya to hold referendum on constitution in April 2010
- Floods in Mandera, Malindi and Mombasa leave thousands displaced, one killed
- Stakeholders forum on urban vulnerability agree on developing a coordinated response to urban poor
- El Nino rains to be capitalised to cushion food insecurity
- GoK and humanitarian partners intensify preparedness efforts for floods
- Five hundred (500) displaced in inter-clan clashes in central Kenya
The information contained in this report has been compiled by OCHA from information received from the field, from national and international humanitarian partners and from other official sources. It does not represent a position from the United Nations. This report is posted on: http://ochaonline.un.org/kenya
General Overview
The Committee of Experts for the draft Constitution has informed that the referendum for the constitution review will be held in April 2010. The last Kenyan constitutional referendum was held on 21 November 2005. The proposed new constitution was voted down by a 58% majority of Kenya's voters. The referendum divided Kenyans and spurred violence. Nine (9) people died during the campaign period spread over several months, but the process itself was peaceful.
Whilst most of Kenya continues reeling from drought consequences, parts of Kenya have been pounded by torrential rains that have left an estimated 2800 people displaced to schools and host family homes in three districts. In Malindi, 430 households have been affected with 60 families displaced, mainly to family and friends' homes after two days of heavy rainfall. A main road to Tana Delta (Garsen), Hola and Lamu has been cut off disrupting access for humanitarian aid to Garrisa refugee camps. Some 40 trucks carrying WFP food aid are stranded in Mangarini district. Five (5) villages - Muyu wa Kae, Kanagoni, Mkono wa jongoo and Kuwanzai, Muthoroni- cannot be accessed. Some 430 households have been affected with 60 families
being displaced. One person is reported to have drowned. Farms in the area have been submerged and reported cases of livestock being affected by the raging waters. The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) has proved 156 collapsible jerricans, mosquito nets, blankets (also donated by OXFAM GB). Minister of State for Special Programmes accompanied by the PS, OCHA and KRCS visited affected areas. The Minister for roads also visited the area to look into possibilities of rehabilitating the damaged one kilometre stretch of the road.
Mombasa floods in coastal Kenya left 500 people displaced to mainly family and friends. In El Wak division in Mandera District (Northeast Kenya), heavy rains for two continuous days left 1800 people displaced to three schools, 500 latrines submerged and 500 shallow wells contaminated by human waste. The District Disaster Management Committee met on 27 October to plan a coordinated response for affected persons. The Department of Health has started 'boil drinking water campaigns' to sensitize the displaced about the dangers of water borne diseases. The District Water Office, the District Public Health Office including UNICEF and Kenya Red Cross Society had prepositioned enough aqua tabs, including chlorine, needed to treat drinking water at household level. They undertook a massive chlorination exercise within the township to disinfect wells that were contaminated. Water levels subsided after two days and families started to return to their homes. Fears remain that if rains continue, displacements will re-occur to schools and disrupt classes. There has been concern raised about the destruction of school furniture the displaced used for firewood. This practice has been strongly discouraged by authorities. OCHA is liaising with various agencies to advocate for the inclusion of firewood or energy saving cookers that should be included in NFI package.
OCHA and UNHABITAT hosted a one day workshop in Nairobi on 29 October to facilitate developing strategies for strengthening coordination and advocacy for appropriate response on urban humanitarian issues in Kenya. The global population of slum dwellers is expected to reach 1.4billion in 2020. In Nairobi alone, over 200 informal settlements have been counted. While the 200 informal settlements cover only 5% of the total residential area of the city, they are inhabited by at-least 60%, of the city's population. UNHABITAT stated that the growth of slums in Kenya is at alarming 7 % annually. OCHA emphasized that humanitarian and development actors have to converge in their mandates to address humanitarian consequences of public policy failures. The GoK City Council participated, joined by more than 50 organizations. This was the first in a series of meetings that will map out issues, response and what agencies can do to in support the government.