Coast
Nine security officers were reported dead after an alleged attack by militants in Mikindani, Jomvu, Coast Region. Four other officers were reportedly injured with one having deep cuts on the head, another one with arrow shots in the stomach and two others with injuries on their legs.
They were taken to the Kilifi District Hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the situation in the Coastal Region is still very tense with voting having been delayed in several polling stations in Kaloleni and Miritini among other areas. In Kilifi, it was reported that a polling station at Chumani was attacked last night.
The Kenya Red Cross (KRCS) Mombasa Region sent a rapid assessment team to the area on 4th March 2013.In another incident, there was one confirmed death in Chonyi area after pre-dawn violence. A man was also hacked to death in Mishomoroni, Mombasa. There were also reports of machete-wielding gangs terrorising residents and KRCS notified relevant authorities. Consequently, a security operation was launched.
Further, several polling stations in Mikindini and Kaloleni Area remained closed this morning. In other areas,ballot boxes and papers were also delayed and KRCS team is conducting an assessment and has also dispatched volunteers to Bamburi area to monitor the situation in Kisauni. In Kinango Mkongani area, a man was also killed though the cause has not been established.
North Eastern
In Mandera, an explosion was reported at DEB Primary School Polling station; the number of casualties is yet to be confirmed. In addition, twin blasts were reported at Bula India Polling station with 3 casualties.
Lower Eastern
In Nairobi, voting is ongoing despite long queues. In St Monica Polling Station, Kitengela, 13 people sustained minor injuries and were treated at a nearby dispensary after a wall caved in as people stood on the line waiting to vote.
A stampede was also reported at the Kariakor Social Hall Polling Station in Nairobi this morning. As a result, casualty was rushed to hospital by the Kenya Red Cross stand by team.Another stampede was also reported in Dandora at the Ronald Ngala polling station.
Upper Eastern and Central
Voting is ongoing peacefully despite long queues. The KRCS team monitoring the situation. Western Region Western and Nyanza have confirmed that voting is currently ongoing peacefully with heavy voter turnout. There were tensions earlier due to delays but calm is now being experienced. Last night in Shinyalu, an aspirant’s vehicle was burnt after allegations of voter bribery at midnight.
South Rift
There were reports that Turgens travelling from Yatia to Chemoi to vote were robbed of money and valuables this morning. No reports of deaths or injuries were received.
North Rift
Voting on going but with no reports of any incidents. Long queues being experienced.
KRCS is well prepared with activities that broadly include:
- Dissemination and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) training that has been taking place, with IHL activities targeting DCs and senior police officers among others.
- Peace campaign progressing well, including the Chagua Peace Concert held at Uhuru Park on February 28th 2013. Many Branches/Regions were also involved in local peace initiatives with other partners.
- Thousands of training days have taken place across the country.
- Staff and volunteers have been trained (or refreshed) on integrated disaster management; First Aid; EPR; WatSan and PHAST; KIRA multi-sectoral assessments; RFL; media and communications; nutrition in emergencies; public health in emergencies; warehousing and logistics; radio communication; gender based violence; incident command system management and basic life support.
- Stocks have been prepositioned in each regional hub and some have been further prepositioned to additional KRCS hubs or branches in hard to reach / hotspot areas.
- Simulation events have taken place, with KRCS participating in events organised at national level by UN OCHA, the Government and other partners, at hub level and, in some cases, branch level.
- The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is receiving calls and the incident command centre is up and running.
- Disaster Response Teams (DRT) teams are on 24-hour standby.
- Ambulances have been prepositioned and project vehicles redeployed to provide extra capacity at Region/Rranch level as needed.
- Communication radio (U/VHF radios) facilities have been checked and repairs undertaken
- Monitoring and reporting systems have been put in place, including the development, sharing and dissemination of reporting tools, assigning of roles and responsibilities, and timelines.
- Task forces have been activated in Situations Rooms both at headquarters and in the regions to conduct a twenty-four hour monitoring, coordination and reporting that is necessary for effective response.
- Phone and radio communications have been strengthened i.e. installations across the country, and then assignment of dedicated lines, and issuance of satellite phones.
- A communication plan has been drawn up and shared with the stakeholders.