Conflict adds to Kenya's drought crisis

ActionAid UK

Conflict is the deadliest manifestation of Kenya’s drought

ActionAid criticises use of army to distribute food

Though malnutrition is increasing and ActionAid staff have witnessed two deaths from hunger, armed conflict is currently the deadliest manifestation of Kenya’s prolonged drought.

A clash between rival clans over water, on 17th August, left six people dead at Kambi Garba, near Isiolo in north-east Kenya. ActionAid temporarily suspended distribution of food aid for one week in Isiolo district for security reasons and only resumed after police escort was provided.

In the arid north-east and north-west of Kenya, clashes are generally between rival groups of pastoralists. Cattle rustling is on the increase as pastoralists try to replace animals that have died in the drought.

Some of those involved are armed with crude weapons or illegal firearms. Porous borders have led to the proliferation of arms from Somalia and Ethiopia, further compounding the existing volatile situation.

Further south in Tana River district, there has been conflict between settled farmers and nomadic pastoralists who have allowed their herds to stray onto the farmers’ land.

At least 38 people have lost their lives in conflicts triggered by contests over food and water, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

In Wajir, people are lining up on the roads to beg for water from passing vehicles. Some risk their lives by lying on the roadway.

The Kenya government bought a large quantity of maize from South Africa - reportedly five million 90kg bags - and has used the army and police to distribute it. ActionAid says that it is difficult to find out whether this food is reaching the people who need it most.

Yusuf Artan, human security coordinator of ActionAid Kenya, said: “At a time of national crisis the need for a coordinated relief distribution cannot be over-emphasised. To avoid duplication of efforts, the government should work with the World Food Programme and non-governmental organisations which already have an efficient, accountable system for distributing food aid.”

ActionAid is part of the WFP emergency relief operation and is the lead agency in Isiolo and Mwingi Districts.

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