Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NAIROBI5112
2006-11-30 13:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:  

GUNS, THUGS, AND POLITICS: INSECURITY IN KENYA

Tags:  ASEC PGOV PHUM KE 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 005112 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS, DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF AND
DS/ITA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2026
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PHUM KE
SUBJECT: GUNS, THUGS, AND POLITICS: INSECURITY IN KENYA


Classified By: A/Political Counselor Craig White for reasons 1.4 (b,d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 005112

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS, DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF AND
DS/ITA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2026
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PHUM KE
SUBJECT: GUNS, THUGS, AND POLITICS: INSECURITY IN KENYA


Classified By: A/Political Counselor Craig White for reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) Summary: The recent attack on Kenya's top official
responsible for security and the outbreak of gang violence in
one Nairobi slum have focused national attention on what the
government in a November 9 statement called the "recent
upsurge in rape, house robberies, carjacking, and general
uneasiness." Divisions within the security forces are
undermining their effectiveness to counter insecurity in
Kenya. Given this environment, the violence in a Nairobi
slum -- the confluence of political, tribal, and criminal
interests -- has potentially serious implications for Kenya's
security leading up to the late 2007 national elections. End
Summary.

Security Minister Attacked, But By Whom?
--------------


2. (U) As if to underscore problems of insecurity in the
country, the preeminent GOK official responsible for the
security docket was himself recently the victim of a violent
attack. On October 28, heavily armed bandits attacked the
rural homestead of Internal Security Minister John Michuki; a
local chief was shot and killed during the attack. Luckily
for Michuki, he had departed his home for Nairobi just a few
hours before. Investigating police found fifty-one
cartridges at the scene of the crime. This impressive
display of fire-power illustrates the disturbing amount of
guns and ammunition which have found their way into criminal
hands.


3. (C) While there is much speculation as to the motivation
behind the attack, the investigation has yet to reveal the
perpetrators. It seems unlikely that the attackers were
unaware of the homestead's owner. There is even speculation
that the attack was orchestrated by Ali detractors (possibly
even Michuki supporters),intending to make Police
Commissioner Ali look bad. Relations between the Police
Commissioner and Michuki have been frosty, given Ali's
independent leanings, but particularly so as a result of the
March raid on the Standard Media House. (Note: Former CID
Director Joseph Kamau, who routinely reported directly to

Michuki, circumventing and undermining Ali's authority,
executed the raid which was ordered by Michuki, all to the
professed ignorance of Ali. Simon Gatiba Karanja was
appointed to the post of CID Director on November 13, filling
the post which remained vacant since Kamau's suspension in
June. Whether the new CID Director will follow in his
predecessor's footsteps or develop better working relations
with Ali remains to be seen. An assessment of Karanja's
potential and the implications of his appointment will follow
in septel. End Note.)


4. (C) In addition to the strained relations within the
leadership of Kenya's security forces, there is growing
tension between the Kenya Police Service's rank and file and
their boss. Commissioner Ali, an outsider, was appointed to
clean up the service. His tactics to address corruption and
inefficiencies, which include installing commanding officers
from outside the police service (notably the military and the
General Services Unit),have engendered a great deal of
resentment within the service. According to a senior police
Inspector, resentment levels have reached a breaking point.
The Inspector told poloffs that police dissatisfaction with
their commanding officer has escalated to such proportions
that some members of the police force are prepared to "stop
doing their jobs" to make Ali look bad and, hopefully, prompt
his removal.

Gang Violence with an Ethnic Twist
--------------


5. (SBU) With the security apparatus under multiple strains,
tensions in one Nairobi slum flared to deadly levels.
Beginning November 5, Mathare, one of Nairobi's largest slums
was paralyzed by several days of arson and street fights
between by rival gangs. Seven people were killed in the
attacks and in the police effort to quell the violence, from
which hundreds of residents fled. Although government
officials have doggedly tried to wash the Mathare violence of
any ethnic tint, it is clear that tribalism played a key
role. The two gangs allegedly responsible for the trouble
have strong tribal connections, and their targets were ethnic
rivals. The Mungiki, Kenya's most notorious gang, was
established by Kikuyus who wanted to avenge discrimination
(and violence) by the Moi (Kalenjin) administration and his
Western Luo and Luhya allies. The Mungiki evolved into a
criminal organization whose members were also hired by Kikuyu
politicians looking to intimidate opponents. To counter the
Mungiki, and their political patrons, Luo and Luhya youth
banded together as the rival Taliban gang (a name without
religious significance in this case).


6. (C) Mathare slum, with its Kikuyu and Luo populations
divided by the Nairobi river, was fertile ground for a clash
between these two gangs. The chang'a (an illegal alcoholic
brew) industry has long been a source of friction as
producers and distributors paid off both police and Mungiki
to keep their businesses running. According to one Mathare
community organization leader, tensions began rising when the
Mungiki increased the size and variety of fees they were
extracting (for example, charging a monthly fee for the use
of public toilets). The frustration came to a head on
Sunday, November 5 when Mungiki stashed stolen Luo goods in
Kikuyu homes. Luo residents retaliated by burning residences
on the Kikuyu side of Mathare, which was followed by Mungiki
destruction of Luo homes the next night.

And a Political Motive
--------------


7. (C) Given their initial political roots, it is
unsurprising that these gangs continue to be used by
politicians to raise money and intimidate opponents, and that
their activity level increases around elections. Together
the gangs and politicians have created what Ken Njau,
Executive Director of NGO Citizens Against Violence has
called an "economy of violence." Local politicians, and
those running for office, establish youth "organizations"
(the gangs themselves are banned by the government),
ostensibly as support groups, but in effect using them as
hired thugs. In addition, government authority in the slum
areas has broken down. Not only are police ineffective, the
chief, the smallest administrative unit of the central
government, when called in, will refuse to act, Mathare
residents complained, either out of fear, or because of his
own complicity in the criminal activity.

Comment
--------------

8. (C) Poverty, corruption, tribalism, and crooked
politicians have conspired against Kenya's slum dwellers,
creating an insecure and unstable environment. With the next
general election approaching, and political temperatures
rising, there is great potential for a repeat of the Mathare
violence. However, this incident provides an opportunity for
the government to deliver on an issue that is probably of the
greatest concern to Kenyan voters: their personal safety.
The strains among and within the security services, however,
make the switch from negligence and police-committed crime to
actual pro-active policing unlikely. The average Kenyan is
likely to face even worse insecurity in the lead-up to the
elections.
RANNEBERGER