2.1 - Political Violence and Displacement
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Interactive Audio Lesson
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Impact of Political Violence
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Today, we are discussing the consequences of political violence in Kenya, especially how it impacts shelter provision. Can anyone tell me what political violence refers to?
It refers to violence that is politically motivated, often seen in conflicts where groups oppose each other due to political beliefs.
Exactly! In Kenya, we saw severe political violence during the 2007 elections, which displaced over 500,000 individuals. It was not just housing that was affected; entire communities were disrupted.
What types of violence occurred during those events?
Great question! There were three main patterns: property burning and looting, targeted attacks on farmers, and violence against migrant workers. Each had devastating effects on shelter availability. Remember the acronym PVT—Property, Victims, Targeted— to recall these types!
What happened to the displaced people?
Many moved to temporary shelters, often in public places like churches and police stations. This highlights the immediate needs for safety and security during such crises.
Did the government help?
Yes, the government, through the MoSSP, created resettlement programs, but initial support was criticized for being inconsistent. Conclusively, political violence drastically affects communities and requires effective recovery strategies.
Government and Humanitarian Responses
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Let's delve into the responses from the Kenyan government and humanitarian organizations following the violence. What were the immediate responses after the clashes?
They established temporary camps for the displaced, right?
That's right. Camps were set up, and basic services were provided. Another key effort was the establishment of the Ministry of State for Special Programs. Does anyone know what their mission was?
To oversee disaster management and help resettlement efforts?
Exactly! Their role was crucial in coordinating efforts. However, we also saw some limitations, like the lack of accountability in compensation packages for displaced households.
What was the 'Operation Rudi Nyumbani' about?
Operation Rudi Nyumbani aimed to promote the return of displaced individuals to their homes. It highlighted a shift from assistance to self-sufficiency.
Did that strategy work?
It had mixed results. Although many formed self-help groups to purchase land, the transition to permanent settlements presented challenges. This illustrates the long-term complexities of recovery post-violence.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
The section discusses the devastating effects of political violence in Kenya during the crises following the 2007 elections, where thousands were displaced. It highlights the government and humanitarian responses, focusing on temporary shelter solutions and community-driven resettlement efforts as part of recovery.
Detailed
Political Violence and Displacement
In the context of disaster recovery, political violence in Kenya has led to significant displacement, notably during the aftermath of the 2007 presidential elections. Following the announcement of President Mwai Kibaki's victory, widespread clashes erupted, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 individuals and displacing approximately 500,000 people. The violence was categorized into three main forms: lootings and burning of property, violent attacks on specific ethnic groups, and retaliatory violence against perceived opposition members.
The displacement affected five of Kenya's eight provinces, predominantly impacting the Rift Valley region. A significant response was required from both the Kenyan government and humanitarian organizations to address the urgent need for temporary shelter and support for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Key actions taken included establishing temporary shelters, often in police stations and religious institutions, and creating resettlement programs overseen by the Ministry of State for Special Programs (MoSSP).
Despite initial compensation packages offered, critiques highlighted inconsistencies and lack of accountability in support systems provided to IDPs. Initiatives like 'Operation Rudi Nyumbani' aimed to encourage return to homes, leading to self-help groups pooling resources to buy land for permanent resettlement. Overall, the section emphasizes transitional shelter's role as a vital part of the recovery process, ensuring dignity and security for those affected.
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Background of Political Violence in Kenya
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Chapter Content
The background of Kenyan condition, it is not a natural disaster but it is a kind of manmade situations especially the political violence. When you look at the natural disasters phenomenon or the risk phenomenon, even from the document of at risk or the CRED reports, it says almost more than 75% to 80% of the disasters are through the political violence.
Detailed Explanation
This chunk describes the context of political violence in Kenya, highlighting that much of the displacement and shelter issues arise not from natural disasters, but from conflicts driven by political motivations. Reports indicate that a significant majority of disaster-related situations (75-80%) stem from violence, indicating that understanding the socio-political landscape is crucial for addressing the needs of displaced persons.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a nation like a large family. When family members argue and fight instead of supporting each other, it can create a toxic environment. Similarly, when the political leaders in a country conflict with one another, it leads to chaos and division in society, directly impacting ordinary people's lives, such as those who lose their homes during violent clashes.
Consequences of Political Violence
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Chapter Content
So, today we are going to talk about the consequences of the political violence especially in terms of shelter provision and how it has been organized and how it has been conducted as a pilot project and how it has been scaled up at a nation level.
Detailed Explanation
This chunk emphasizes that the lecture will focus on specific consequences of political violence, particularly related to housing and shelter. It highlights how responses have evolved from small-scale pilot projects to larger national initiatives, indicating a systemic approach to addressing the challenges associated with displacement caused by civil unrest.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine when a neighborhood is damaged by fights between gangs; the local community might initially come together to repair a few homes. As the damage is assessed, larger organizations or even city officials might step in to help on a broader scale. Similarly, the responses to political violence can start small but grow into comprehensive national programs as the extent of the issue becomes clear.
Political Clashes and Displacement Statistics
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Chapter Content
In 2007 and 2008, after the former President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner of the presidential elections in December 27, 2007. There has been a huge political clashes and along with various ethnic groups within the country and about 1200 people have been reported dead, almost 5 lakhs people displaced, that is as per the United Nations Office Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs report.
Detailed Explanation
This section provides specific details about violent political events in Kenya, particularly the aftermath of the 2007 elections. It notes the significant loss of life (1200 deaths) and immense displacement (500,000 people). This data underscores the severe impact of political conflict, leading to a humanitarian crisis that required immediate and effective response measures for those affected.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a school that experiences a sudden fight between students after a game; some parents may take their kids home for safety while others are hurt or scared. This example can help illustrate how, during political turmoil, people often find themselves in situations where they must flee for safety, leading to large groups being displaced, similar to the students leaving the school in fear.
Patterns of Violence and Displacement
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Chapter Content
Ideally there are 3 categories of this; one is the first was burning and looting all the shops, commercial premises and houses. So, all these mobs, they come to the city in the urban clusters and they started destroying, burning down whether it is a public property or commercial properties.
Detailed Explanation
In this chunk, the text discusses three main categories of violence witnessed during the clashes, including widespread destruction through burning and looting. Understanding these patterns is vital because they clarify the types of trauma and displacement people faced, and recognizing such patterns helps formulate strategies for recovery and support in post-conflict environments.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a sports team losing a pivotal game and angry fans rioting; public properties may get damaged. This scene illustrates how chaos can ensue during times of intense emotional conflict, much like political clashes resulting in destructive behavior towards community properties and creating further turmoil for families around.
Responses to Displacement
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Chapter Content
One is move to the host families and some of them, they tend to move to their host families or like people who are migrants from different places, they go back to their places, set up spontaneous camps in police stations and churches.
Detailed Explanation
This section explains how displaced individuals find refuge after being forced to leave their homes. Many sought shelter with host families or established camps in safe spaces like police stations and churches. This response highlights community resilience and the human instinct to seek safety, emphasizing the importance of support networks during crises.
Examples & Analogies
Think of it like when a storm hits a neighborhood, friends and family take each other in to stay safe. Similarly, during times of conflict, due to the lack of secure housing, people pull together, finding shelter in places that feel safer and offer a chance to stay connected with a community.
Key Concepts
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Impact of Political Violence: The social and humanitarian effects caused by politically motivated unrest, leading to significant displacement.
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Transitional Housing: Temporary solutions for shelter that provide basic needs until permanent housing is achieved.
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Government Response: The initiatives undertaken by Kenyan authorities to address the crisis and support displaced populations.
Examples & Applications
During the 2007-2008 post-election violence, communities faced attacks and were displaced, resulting in temporary camps being set up in schools and religious buildings to provide immediate shelter.
Working together in self-help groups, displaced persons pooled their government assistance to purchase rural land, forming new communities and achieving sustainable living.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
In times of political strife, many lose their life; displacement is the game, during election's fame.
Stories
Once in Kenya, a peaceful land, elections turned violent, as tensions fanned. Families displaced, seeking a way, to find their safe homes at the end of the day.
Memory Tools
PVT for remembering Political Violence Types: Property destruction, Victim targeting, and Transit displacement.
Acronyms
IDP stands for Internally Displaced Persons—those forced from their homes but still within their country.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Political Violence
Violence motivated by political aims, often resulting in social disruption and community displacement.
- Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
Individuals forced to flee their homes but remain within their country due to conflict or disaster.
- MoSSP
Ministry of State for Special Programs; responsible for overseeing disaster management and IDP resettlement in Kenya.
- Transitional Shelter
A temporary living space providing safety and basic services to those displaced before a durable housing solution is available.
- Operation Rudi Nyumbani
An initiative encouraging internally displaced persons to return to their original homes.
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