DEPHA DISASTER DESK

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The purpose of this section is to provide background or context for important events within the region that prompt humanitarian/development response and consequently mapping products. Please see the Useful Links page for additional sources of news and information about these events.

Flooding in Tana Delta

The Nothern stretch of the Kenya coast received heavy rains in the previous weeks that led to floods. Tana River district was the one affected most, due to its landscape. Flooding at the Tana Delta left over 1440 families displaced,over 3,800 acres of farmland submerged and many schools closed down. There are fears of disease outbreaks due to collapsed latrines and malaria due to stagnant water. Also affected is the transport system, as a number of bridges were washed away, including the major bridge that links Garsen town to Hola Town. view a full map HERE.

Cattle Rustling,Marsabit District.

Two people have been killed in the recent incidents of cattle rustling in Marsabit and Turkana. In Marsabit, two communities(The rendile and the Borana) are fighting on what is believed to be a war over water and pasture. Almost 200 heards of cattle are believed to have been stolen from the Borana community around Karare town, and driven towards Hula hula, on the south west of Marsabit town. There is high tension with transportation affected from the Road block mounted at Hula hula,almost 16 Km from marsabit, along the Marsabit-Moyale road. view a full map HERE.

Close to fifty nine people have died of cholera in the past five months in what the Government of Kenya, through its Ministry of Health reckons to be the most serious outbreak to hit the country in the recent past .The worst affected districts are Suba, Migori, Homabay, Rongo, Siaya, Kisumu East and West, Bondo, Nyando, Kisii South, Wajir, Mandera East and Central, Naivasha, Nakuru and Bunyala. View a full map HERE.

Skirmishes in Laikipia West, 17th March,2008

The ongoing clashes in Laikipia West District have widened rifts among communities. On 11th of march 2007, four family members were shot dead by a gang of warriors who did not steal anything. It is estimated that Up to 20 people have been killed since the violence started. Violence has mainly hit Gatundia area, where more than 1,000 people have fled their homes. It is estimated that there are more than 200 displaced people camping at the Gatundia police post. Other displaced people are at Rumuruti town and Nyahururu town. As of 10th march, 400 families had been displaced. At Ndagara, more than 100 houses were torched and a lot of livestock stolen . View an updated map HERE.

Twelve people were killed on Monday the 3rd in Tranz-Nzoia District in Rift valley when an armed militia attacked the villages of Embakasi and Kisawai, a few kilometers from Kitale town. The gang, believed to be the Sabaot Land Defence Force, also set several homes on fire. The gang later escaped towards the Mt Elgon forest,where they are believed to be hiding. So far, two people,believed to be part of the gang were killed and others arrested after the police launched an intensive hunt for the thugs. View an updated map HERE.

Post Election Violence-KENYA - January 2008

It is estimated that over three hundred thousand people have been displaced from their homes due to the violence within Kenya following the disputed election results that returned President Mwai Kibaki to office. Over 7000 people are estimated to have fled across the border to Uganda. Additionally it is believed that over 1000 people have died as a result of intertribal violence and police actions.

Violence has been particularly intense in the Rift Valley where some of the country’s richest farmland lies. The tourism industry,which employs over 250,000 people is especially hard hit, with figures of people who have lost jobs hitting 40,000.

On 30th Jan,2008 Kenyans woke to the news of the death in Nairobi of the ODM MP for Embakasi. This triggered new violence in various parts of the city, e.g Embakasi, Kibera, Mathare, Huruma, Dandora, Kayole, Umoja and upcountry in Budalangi, where the MP comes from. More recently another opposition MP was shot dead by a policeman in the western town of Eldoret producing more outbreaks of local violence.

Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary General, arrived in Kenya on Tuesday the 22nd Jan at the head of a team of eminent Africans that includes former President Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania and Graca Machel, former first lady of Mozambique and wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela. Negotiations are underway for a settlement between the administration and the opposition.

Click HERE to view a map of Kenya showing the hot spots and towns were violence has been reported, and HERE to view a map of Nairobi and a map of Mathare. The UN Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT) has produced an image indicating the active locations of fire that were detected during periods of violence in parts of the Rift Valley and Western province. To have a look at the map,click HERE.

Cattle Rustling,West Pokot- May 2007

Many people have been rendered homeless in West pokot  after their homes were torched by bandits, who were on a mission to steal livestock. The region has been at the centre of frequent attacks from the bandits in the last two months. In May,31 bandits were killed by police and 250 stolen cattle recovered at Kipsing in Rumuruti. The raiders were intercepted at Tinga Mara after a 7 hour gun battle. On 21st May, 600 morans raided two manyattas at survey and magadi areas in Laikipia and drove away 700 head of Livestock. Many residents from the affected areas are seeking refuge at Olmoran trading centre. The Most affected districts are Samburu, Isiolo, Marakwet, laikipia and Transmara and the South Turkana. In the recent incident, where even the home of a councilor in Talu was not spared, they raided several homes, killed livestock, burnt homes, Killed one person and stole 20 livestock, which were later recovered as they engaged  the police in heavy fighting. Many people were left injured. They then moved to a village called Kapriti where they were repulsed by the police, though still, they had caused a lot of damage.View Map in full HERE

Clashes at Mt. Elgon have left over 150 people dead Since the clashes Erupted, thousands Displaced and property worth of Millions destroyed. Most of the affected peopple are seeking refuge at the administrative centres,some going to the neighbouring Districts and the others have gone deep to the forest. The Cause of the problem is said to be unproper allocation of land by the Government. Approximately, over 3,000 peopple are squarters in this Region. To view a map click Here

More than 7 people have been killed and 300 houses burnt in clashes between two pastoral communities, the Wardei and the Orma in Tana River District, Coast province. Most of the displaced people are from Chifiri, Bisaida, Jirotabdu and Hosingo villages where over 300 Manyattas were burnt. Some of the injured were rushed to the nearby Bura Hospital, while others were taken to Malindi.

Red Cross Society of Kenya team is on the ground assisting the displaced people who are camping at Dokanotu & near the National Youth Service (NYS), North of Bura Town and the rest have fled to Wayu and others all the way to Hola town, in the south of Bura. The Wardei community fled towards the North while the Orma fled Southwards.

Weeks ago, the communities fought at Hosingo Village, Over 16 kilometres from Bura Town. Two people were killed and several injured. Relative calm had returned to the area after General Service Unit officers from various stations were sent  to reinforce regular police teams from Malindi, Lamu and Garisa who are already on the ground.

Click HERE to view a status Map of this region. To View some Video Clips an Bura, click a,b & c

Floods in Budalangi - April 2007

More than 4,280 people,(about 712 families) have been displaced by Floods in Budalangi Division, Busia District after the River Nzoia bursts its banks at Swalanga after the dykes collapsed. This is attributed to the continued heavy rainfall at the Chaptagat forest and the cherengani hills. Many facilities have been affected among them is the Makunda Secondary & Primary Schools which have been submerged in the floods. The people have relocated to higher grounds at Mukhovola School and Mukhovola health centre. Disease outbreaks are likely to occur as a result of the current situation .To view a map of this Region, click HERE