Rebuilding Lives: Background

December 2007

IDP The 2007/08 Kenyan crisis refers to a political, economic and humanitarian crisis that erupted in Kenya after incumbent President Mwai Kibaki was declared winner of the presidential election held on Dec 27, 2007. Supporters of Kibaki's opponent, Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement, alleged electoral manipulation. Opposition supporters went on a violent rampage in several parts of the country, most noticeably in Odinga's homeland of Nyanza Province and the slums of Nairobi. Targeted ethnic violence was primarily directed against the Kikuyu tribe's people, of which Kibaki is a member, however a number of other tribes also got displaced. By January 28th, the death toll from the violence was around 800, and up to 600,000 people were displaced (UN statistics).

January 2008

Around 20,000 IDPs from western Kenya and Rift Valley take refuge in the arena of Nakuru Agricultural Society of Kenya Show ground (ASK Showground) in Nakuru.

On arriving at ASK Showground, many of the IDPs had spent numerous sleepless nights without food or water, taking refuge from the violence in schools, police posts or in forests. Many were wounded or suffering hunger and fatigue. Pregnant women miscarried children, or were forced to give birth without medical assistance. Many of the women and children had been raped and tortured during the skirmish, and had subsequently been infected with STIs such as HIV. Many had lost fathers, husbands and relatives. All were severely traumatized and in need of psychological first aid.

During the eight months IDPs lived at ASK Showground, assistance and humanitarian aid was delivered from agencies including the UNHCR (providing temporary tented shelters for each family), Action Hunger and UNICEF who built temporary schools, while the government also assisted by placing other children in government schools. In spite of these provisions, the problems faced by the IDPs here were widespread.

In the absence of a strong community structure or adequate security, young girls were lured into commercial sex and boys recruited as cheap labor or into gangs. There was an ever present threat of violence and rape, with stories of women and young girls being coerced into having sex by volunteers in exchange for food supplies or shelter, plus young girls were reportedly kidnapped during the night and sold into commercial sex rings for money. Food supplies and other basic amenities were not adequately distributed and corruption was rife. In turn, the psychological trauma already experienced by the IDPs was compounded in the unstable months spent at ASK Showground.

May-November 2008

The Kenyan Government launches Operation Rudi Nyumbani (operation return home) offering food, tools, new houses and cash compensation for those who returned to their homes. The aim was to have everyone out of the camps by 31 August 2008. But because of a still present threat of violence in their home territories - particularly in areas of the Rift Valley - many were reluctant, or refused, to return home. Some simply no longer had a home to return to.

IDP A lack of understanding of the differing needs of the IDPs - much that was offered in compensation to them was not relevant. For example, some had previously owned land, some leased land - yet the compensation offered was the same for both. Plus, the introduction of the minimal amount of 10,000 KSH compensation for each IDP in the camp lead to corruption amongst IDP leaders and government clerks - much of this money found its way to people who did not live in the camps, leaving those who did with nothing.

In parallel with Operation Rudi Nyumbani, the government withdrew all humanitarian services and supplies, and even cut off water supplies to the camps in an attempt to force the IDPs out. The thousands of people still living in the camps were left with no medical services, no security, food, water, or education (the children were all sent back from the schools). The toilets and rubbish dumps were left to overflow causing numerous health, hygiene and sanitation problems.

November 2008 - Pipeline

IDP Reluctant to return to their original homes and businesses, many IDPs asked the government for land in which to build a new community in place of the 10,000 KSH compensation. While the administration did not accept this idea, enterprising IDPs such as Paul Thiongo (now Chairman of Pipeline IDP camp) coordinated the collection of the compensation of 1000 IDPs and as a group they purchased 16 acres of land. Each member of the group has a plot of 21x24 ft.

Current Situation

While the 6500 IDPs now live a relatively more peaceful and safe existence at Pipeline, it is not sustainable and they still face many challenges. Unaided by the current government with an unstable coalition, they are constantly battling for basic resources. For food they have been reliant on the government contracted Kenyan Red Cross - a contract which has been discontinued as of April 2009. They now rely on appealing to non-government organizations for their basic supplies and are now in a state of crisis.

IDP All the people in Pipeline want is enough to be able to rebuild their lives, and start a self sufficient community free from handouts. But with the constant threat of disease, lack of education and basic resources, they are now asking for international assistance to help them achieve their goals.