3. Response to Displacement

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.

This chunk discusses the tragic consequences of political violence in Kenya from the end of 2007 to early 2008. When President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner of the elections, it sparked severe clashes among different ethnic groups. This resulted in the death of over 1200 people and the displacement of approximately 500,000 individuals. Such events illustrate how political tensions can have devastating impacts on communities, leading to both loss of life and homelessness.

Think of political disputes like a group of friends arguing over a game; if one friend feels cheated and lashes out, it doesn’t just affect them—everyone in the group may get hurt, and some may even choose to leave the group entirely. Similarly, when political disagreements escalate violently, it affects countless innocent lives.

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, whether it is a commercial properties. The second was an onslaught by opposition supporters on small farmers and landholders in the rift Valley, perceived to be government supporters. The third one is of the pattern of violence was retaliatory and targeted mainly at the migrant workers.

This chunk outlines three distinct patterns of violence that emerged during the political unrest in Kenya. The first involved mobs burning and looting properties, which created widespread fear and chaos. The second pattern targeted small farmers and landholders who were suspected of supporting the government, forcing them to abandon their homes. The third pattern involved violence against migrant workers, which illustrates how different groups within society can become victims of political strife, often becoming scapegoats in these conflicts.

Consider a sports game where a team feels cheated by the referee, leading to their fans attacking not just the referees but also the fans of the opposing team and even local businesses. This is similar to how political unrest can lead individuals to target various groups within their community, often spreading chaos beyond the original issue.

In the Rift Valley which is the majorly affected area, displacement affected 5 of Kenya’s 8 provinces. Many sought to move to their ancestral homes in Nyanza, Western and Central Provinces. They went back to their parental homes or their ancestral homes, so in that way, they could able to be secured themselves for some time.

This chunk emphasizes the immediate responses of displaced individuals, particularly in the Rift Valley province, which was heavily impacted by violence. Many people chose to return to their ancestral homes for safety, illustrating how familial and cultural ties provide a sense of protection during crises. Displacement affected several provinces, highlighting the widespread nature of the conflict.

Imagine during a storm, people seek refuge in their childhood homes because they recall it as a safe place. Similarly, in times of violence, returning to familiar family homes offers comfort and security amidst chaos, reflecting the deep connections people have with their roots.

The Government of Kenya’s ministry of state for special programs, which we call it as MoSSP, the Ministry of State for Special Programs and this particular ministry’s mission is to provide the leadership in the development of risk reduction measures and disaster management, within Kenya.

This chunk introduces government involvement in responding to displacement, specifically through the Ministry of State for Special Programs (MoSSP). This ministry plays a crucial role in leading disaster management and establishing risk reduction strategies for displaced individuals. It indicates the structured approach taken by the government to manage the displacement crisis effectively.

Think of a school principal leading an emergency drill during a fire alarm. Just as the principal must organize a safe and effective response plan for students, governments must create strategies to help those who are displaced due to crises, showing their responsibility for public safety and order.

Initially, there is a compensation package issued by the government about in a Kenyan of 10,000 which is about 100 Euros per IDP household and an additional 25,000 for each household with a destroyed house. But then this was not very successful, different and analysis report.

This chunk discusses the government's initial attempts to provide financial support for internally displaced persons (IDPs). While the compensation package aimed to help households recover, it faced criticism for not being effective or consistent in its distribution. This highlights the challenges government programs can encounter when trying to assist victims of violence.

Imagine a friend promising to lend you money to cover your bills after you unexpectedly lose your job but only giving you part of what you need and inconsistently each month. Just like that situation can create frustration and uncertainty, the aid provided to IDPs also fell short of fully addressing their needs.

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