BAD GOVERNANCE THE ROOT OF INSECURITY IN MT. ELGON

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001603 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KDEM PGOV PHUM KE SUBJECT: BAD GOVERNANCE THE ROOT OF INSECURITY IN MT. ELGON REF: NAIROBI 5393 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: With the death toll approaching 150 and the number of displaced persons rising to above 61,700, the conflict over land settlement in the Mt. Elgon district of Western Kenya has become a major political issue. The Kibaki administration is promoting dialogue among the warring factions and increasing security forces in the area, which only addresses the symptoms. The underlying causes of the conflict are layered, with clan identity, corruption, and patronage playing prominent roles. Untangling these issues and establishing a firm basis for communal harmony in the region is further complicated by the politics of Western Province, one of Kenya's more politically contested regions. END SUMMARY. A Brewing Conflict -------------- ¶2. (U) Mt. Elgon's slopes, an extinct volcano, are exceptionally fertile, which has made the region the breadbasket for much of Western Province and beyond. The Mt. Elgon region, located on the Kenya-Uganda border, is primarily populated by members of the Kalenjin/Nilotic ethnic group. The Kalenjin account for approximately 11 percent of Kenya's population and are comprised of a collection of small ethnic groups amalgamated into one ethnic identity largely for political mobilization purposes. (Reftel.) One of these small ethnic groups, the Sabaot, is at the center of crisis in Mt. Elgon. The Ndorobo clan of the Sabaot are traditionally forest dwelling hunter-gathers living on the upper slopes of Mt. Elgon around Chepkitale peak. The Soy clan, traditional pastoralists and cultivators, reside on the lower slopes of Mt. Elgon. ¶3. (U) Violence escalated in Mt. Elgon in November 2006 between the two Sabaot clans. There has been tension and occasional violence between the two groups since 1971, when a settlement program brought them into conflict over land allocations. The Ndorobo traditionally have a low status relative to the Soy. The land settlement scheme was intended to make farmers of the Ndorobo so that they would no longer depend for their sustenance on the local flora and fauna in an ecologically unique and sensitive area. The population living in the resettlement area has grown since the inception of the scheme, resulting in too little land available to accommodate the expanding population. The most recent land allocations under Phase III of the settlement program resulted in the eviction of approximately 3,000 Soy by GOK security forces to clear land intended for resettled Ndorobo. ¶4. (SBU) In addition to the complaint that the land allocations disproportionately benefit the Ndorobo at the expense of the Soy, the Soy accuse the government of corruption in land allocation decisions. Local leaders and land officials are accused of distributing land unfairly in an attempt to reward particular communities at the expense of others. It is alleged that following the recent eviction of the Soys, the government (involving numerous offices in the Provincial Administration and the Ministry for Lands, as well as a local Member of Parliament aligned with the government) distributed the land to its supporters as a reward for their YES vote in the 2005 Constitutional Referendum. The Ndorobos, in general, are pro-government, as is the local MP. ¶5. (U) Members of the Soy clan have formed the Sabaot Land Defense Force (SLDF) to challenge the land allocations and protect their perceived land rights. Recently, the SLDF evolved into an armed militia which has been fighting the government and attacking the beneficiaries of the allocations (predominately Ndorobos). ¶6. (U) In the past six months, the SLDF carried out attacks against both the administration and the community. Over 144 people have already lost their lives in the conflict, with the number of killings escalating in recent weeks. Schools have been forced to close their doors due to poor security in the area, affecting thousands of students. The Kenya Red Cross reports over 61,700 people have been displaced, with many fleeing to the safety of neighboring communities in Uganda and other parts of Western Province. There are numerous reports of violence and rape used by the SLDF to intimidate families into fleeing their land. Strong Arm Tactics Contribute to Insecurity -------------- ¶7. (U) The government's response to the conflict thus far has been to fight fire with fire. The increasing attacks by the SLDF prompted the government to declare the Mt. Elgon area "closed" to outsiders due to security concerns. The government deployed security forces to the area (estimated at between 550 and 650 police officers) to quell the violence in early 2007; however their arrival appears to be more incendiary than calming. The death toll continues to rise. The security forces themselves are accused of committing serious abuses against Mt. Elgon residents, particularly sexual abuses against women and children. Their presence also contributes to tensions between the two contending communities because they are perceived to be victimizing (or punishing) the Soy while defending the Ndorobo. Death Toll Attracts GOK Attention -------------- ¶8. (U) Amid the rising death toll, 13 members of parliament (MPs) urged the Kibaki administration to step up its efforts to bring stability to the area and defuse tensions between the affected communities by promoting dialogue. During the April 4 special session of parliament to discuss the conflict, members traded accusations of responsibility for fanning the flames of the conflict. Area MPs are accused of opportunistically fueling the conflict for political gain in an election year. Internal Security Minister John Michuki laid the blame squarely at the feet of several MPs and announced that his policy of force was working. Michuki outlined the government's response to date, saying almost 300 suspects have been arrested. Michuki also urged the Ministry of Lands to expeditiously issue controversial title deeds to the (primarily Ndorobo) allottees. Following the April 4th debates in parliament, the government spokesperson announced that the government was promoting dialogue between the administration and community leaders through the establishment of peace committees and offering amnesty to those who surrender their weapons. ¶9. (U) Following more violence over the weekend in which the children of an assistant chief in the area were targeted and killed, the government announced on April 10 the cancellation of all of the grief-giving Phase III land allotments. Rather than cause for celebration, the announcement has engendered much confusion among Mt. Elgon residents. The announcement casts additional controversy concerning the status of ownership for people who had assumed possession of the allotted land as well as for people who were evicted from the land identified for allotment. The government has yet to clarify the status of the land under consideration for allotment. Michuki is widely blamed for the deteriorating security situation in Mt. Elgon. Numerous civil society organizations, prominent religious leaders and politicians are calling for his removal. ¶10. (SBU) Comment: Many of those calling for Michuki's removal have little interest in or knowledge of the Mt. Elgon communities. Rather, they have other reasons for wanting to see the back of Michuki. This issue is a convenient means to achieve that end. Michuki is a crucial financial backer of President Kibaki. We do not expect to see him go. ¶11. (SBU) The roots of the Mt. Elgon conflict extend beyond the mere security threat posed by the SLDF. Unless the underlying causes of the conflict are adequately addressed, and not just "resolved" through arrests and reshuffling of title deeds, the resentment and disaffection of dispossessed communities will continue to simmer and threaten stability in the region. Only by tackling the difficult problems inherent in the controversial land distribution program through a transparent, consultative and objective public process can the government bring lasting security to Mt. Elgon's residents. RANNEBERGER