SAMBURU NORTH CONFLICT: KENYA INTER-AGENCY RAPID ASSESSMENT REPORT (KIRA)

4th -7th NOVEMBER, 2013

CONTEXT

Samburu North Sub-County is one of the three sub-counties in Samburu County. According to 2009 Kenya Population and Housing Census Samburu North Sub- County had a population of 83,759 people. This is projected to grow to 97,314 people by 2012. The Sub-County headquarters is in Baragoi town. The Sub-County is bordered by Marsabit County to the North East, Turkana County to the North West, Baringo County to the West and Isiolo County to the South East. Baragoi is known for bloody conflicts and cattle rustling that have claimed lives of security forces, local inhabitants and loss of livelihoods and properties. Its rugged terrain and impassable roads make recovery of livestock impossible once they have been driven to Suguta Valley. Baragoi is inhabited by the Samburu, Turkana and a few other communities from the rest of Kenya. Samburu comprise 75 percent of the population and the Turkana 20 percent and the other tribes 5 percent. The Samburu dominate the politics of the sub-county and the conflict cannot be divorced completely from politics and land ownership. Baragoi is arid area receiving between 250-500mm of rainfall which falls in two rain seasons: short and long rains. The vegetation is predominantly grassland with Acacia trees and shrubs in the scenic plains and hills. Drought is a common occurrence and because of this pasture, browse and water are scarce. The two communities fight over livestock, pasture, water and land. Because they border other counties with porous borders the combatants easily access small arms and light weapons used to perpetrate the heinous crime. Pastoralism is the main livelihood for the two communities which rear cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys and camels.

The previous voluntary disarmament exercises conducted by government were not successful due to lack of coordinated approach which saw the Samburu surrender their guns while the Turkana did not. This is further exemplified by the fact that the 46 police officers were massacre in Suguta Valley last November and 42 slain police guns were stolen and still held by bandits. This has further aggravated the perennial conflict in the sub-county. As a result mistrust has developed between the protagonist communities and the security forces deployed in the area.

Now the government has assembled a combined force of security agencies in readiness for a final push to recover all illegally held guns in the two counties of Samburu and Turkana. However, community members from across the divide are opposed to the exercise unless the government guarantees their security and safety. The disarmament exercise is likely to complicate the current humanitarian crisis experienced by the IDPs (the sick, elderly, pregnant and lactating mothers and children).

The protracted conflict has resulted in the death of 17 people with 35 others sustaining various injuries between September to date. Out of the 35 injured; five were airlifted for further medical treatment at Kenya National Hospital. The conflict has seen a total of 1, 335 households displaced across the Sub-County as at the time of assessment. However, due to more raids; more households have been displaced.

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Background

Samburu North Sub-County is one of the three sub-counties in Samburu County. It is an arid Sub-County. There are two (2) administrative divisions namely Nyiro and Baragoi. The Sub-County has a population of 60,000 persons and covers an area of 7,024.4 km2 and a density of 9 persons per km2

Samburu comprise 75 percent of the population and the Turkana 20 percent and the other tribes 5 percent. The majority of the population practice Pastoralism as a main source of livelihood. Poverty levels stand at 83% making it one of the poorest counties in Kenya.

There have been ethnic clashes between the Samburu and Turkana communities in Baragoi Sub-County since November, 2012 to date. The security situation in Baragoi Sub-County has gradually deteriorated as inter-communal conflicts have persisted since then. The major cause of recent inter-tribal conflict has been attributed to pasture, water, cattle raids and land ownership.

During a County Steering Group meeting held on 30th October, 2013 at the County Commissioner’s Boardroom and given the current fluid security situation in the County, particularly in the north; the CSG resolved to carry out a rapid situation needs assessment so as to come up with a report that will be shared among various stakeholders. The assessment started from Monday 4th November, 2013 and ended on 7th November, 2013.

Baragoi sub- County has a population of about 60,000 people out of which 8,010 have been displaced from their homes due to insecurity and conflict and are now camped under deplorable conditions in Morijo, Kadokoi, Barsaloi, Lesirkan, Lenkima, Maskita and Wuaso Rongai.

Methodology

The areas visited were selected on the basis of reported attacks and these were identified during the CSG meeting prior to field assessment. The CSG benefited from KRCS brief and the NDMA monthly drought bulletin. The KIRA team took a transect drive from Maralal town to Morijo where they conducted the first interview and proceeded to Marti for the second interview. The following day the team split into two with team 1 heading towards Wuaso Rongai, Tuum, Kawap and Lenkima. Team 2 proceeded to Lesirkan, Maskita, Ngilai and Bendera. In the evening the teams converged at Baragoi for wrap up and planning of the next day’s activities. On the third day, the teams proceeded to Suyan and Barsaloi for a joint assessment and thereafter, back to Maralal. On 7th the whole team compiled the report.

The methodology used for data collection was direct observation method, key informant interviews, nutritional assessment (MUAC) and community focus group discussions where groups were segregated on the basis of gender and age. A structured questioneer with open and closed questions was administered to each group and the responses captured on paper. As much as was practically possible each team had a composition of all the technical personnel needed to conduct the interviews.

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The following stakeholders provided technical and logistical support during the assessment: Ministry of Water, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health (Public Health and Nutrition), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries, KRCS, RAMATI, Caritas, WVK, IMC, NDMA, County Government(CECs for Health and Social Services), ACTED and CHILDFUND.

AMREF provided mineral water for the team and the County government paid the DSA for the devolved functions staff and the NDMA staff. County Government, ACTED, KRCS and Caritas provided fuelled vehicles and supported their staff. While NDMA vehicle was fuelled by CHILDFUND and KRCS paid DSA for District Nutrition Officer (DNO).

Figure1: Samburu Livelihood Zone Map

Scope and Scale of Conflict

The current conflict was triggered by an attack at Suyan where 80 cattle, 4000 goats, 28 donkeys and 12 camels were stolen by cattle rustlers perceived to come from Turkana community and one person died and two injured. 190 HH were displaced to Barsaloi. This

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was followed by another attack in Wuaso Rongai where 400 shoats, 280 cattle and 105 donkeys were stolen and three people were killed and two sustained injuries and 380 HH were displaced and are now living in Mt. Nyiro forest. Other HHs from Marti, Ngilai, Maskita, Suyan and Kawop abandoned their settlements due to fear of attack and insecurity and moved to Morijo, Kadokoi, Lenkima, Lesirkan and Barsaloi.

Four primary schools and three pre-schools and one out of school program were completely closed (Kawop, Wuaso Rongai, Suyan and Maskita Simiti). Kawop primary school classrooms, children learning and instructional materials were vandalized and three 10,000lts capacity water tanks in Kawop primary school were damaged with one beyond repair. In addition, two houses were burnt and six razed in Kawop.

Two dispensaries and two AP Posts were completely unoperational in Kawop and Wuaso Rongai. The APs have since returned back to Baragoi AP line.Livestock diseases are on the increase especially in Wuaso Rongai, Kadokoi and Suyan.

Humanitarian Profile

The conflict experienced in the Sub-County has impacted negatively on the lives and livelihoods of the local population and especially pregnant and lactating wmothers, children below five (5) years and other vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled. The over 1,335 households affected are currently displaced.

In all the ten (10) sites visited in the Sub-County, high prevalence rate in diarrhoea, Malaria, eye and upper respiratory infections were reported by KIRA team. A Maternity Ward in Tuum has no delivery bed and beddings and lack adequate personnel. In Wuaso Rongai, the dispensary has not been operational for the last two months leading to poor maternal health and child care services. Kawop dispensary is also not operational and needs to be protected from further vandalism.In all the visited sites there was no supplementary feeding for malnourished children.The team observed that there was minimal use of toilets with only 10% of the population accessing it and the coverage was low. It was also evident the community members lacked knowledge on toilet use.In Tuum the CHW reported that there are 4 PLWHAs, but the ARVs drugs were not available and they had to borrow from Baragoi health centre a distance of about 57km.

In terms of water safety and access, water is insufficient at Morijo due to increased population. Marti people have water competition due to more livestock within the area and a dysfunctional generator which need repairs, maintenance and service. The capacity of the borehole to yield water is overstretched and it is anticipated that with the current rains the recharge volume may increase and also livestock will drink from ponds and streams.Kadokoi people have inadequate water due to many livestock drinking water from Marti borehole.

On the impacts of conflict on education, Wuaso Rongai, Kawop, Maskita Simiti and Suyan primary schools were completely closed. In addition Simale, Sulubei and Suyan pre-schools were closed and children relocated with their parents.

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Class eight candidates from Wuaso Rongai relocated to South Horr primary school for KCPE preparation and eight candidates from Kawop primary school were relocated to Nalingogor primary school and other children are also schooling in Natiti, Nachola and Baragoi primary schools.

In Kawop Primary School, children learning and instructional materials were vandalized. The water storage facilities damaged and doors, desks and windows were broken by unknown people. While in Marti boarding section was not functioning due to fear of attack. Three candidates and 39 pupils and 113 pre-school children from Marti primary school were relocated to Morijo primary school.

According to NDMA drought monthly bulletin for October; the percentage of children assessed as at risk of malnutrition using the MUAC is still high in the following sentinel sites: Kawop (61%), Nachola (41.4%) and Tuum (25.3%) respectively.

Changes in nutritional status of a population can result from various aspects ranging from food insecurity resulting from varying phenomena, to care practices especially for children below five years of age.

The impact of insecurity in Samburu County has among others negatively affected the nutritional status of the community as evidenced by the MUAC measurements taken from the hot spots of the county where communities have had clashes for the last two months.

Secondary data from NDMA October EWS bulletin indicates that nutritional status of children below five years worsened with the percentage of those considered at risk of malnutrition (based on monthly MUAC measurements) increasing to 20 from 19.7 in September. Food handling, child care practices and drought effects contributed to the high percentage of under-fives at risk in zone. Baragoi, and Waso divisions were the worst affected.

The KIRA done in November 2013 (4th- 7th) yielded the following observations on matters of food and nutrition security.

1. Infant feeding: Infant feeding has been adversely affected. Mothers with infants have had a challenge practicing exclusive breastfeeding due to psychosocial distress and anxiety resulting from the state of insecurity, which in turn hinders adequate production of breast milk. At Wuaso Rongai there are 15 new born infants who face the challenge on a day to day basis as a result of insecurity in the area. The effect is further worsened by the fact that breastfeeding mothers lack food to help meet the nutritional needs of both the mothers and their breastfeeding infants. However, HINI coverage in the county is very well done, mothers are aware of the importance of breastfeeding their infants exclusively for the first 6months but have to introduce others foods as early as at 2 months of age for some, since the mothers lack the energy to continue practicing exclusive breastfeeding due to inadequate dietary intake. Children are however put on the breast most of the time, when the mothers are not out taking care of the livestock in which case the children are left under the care of the old grandmothers.

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The feeding of children 7-24 months of age are challenged as well, since they have to feed when food is available which can be once or twice a day. They mostly feed on if available.

2. House hold food security: The communities mainly depend on livestock as a main source of food. The state of insecurity has led to most of the communities moving the livestock away for fear of attacks. The assessment indicated that due to this most households have suffered food insecurity and are going without food as before, even the young children who depended on milk from the cattle. Income generating activities have stalled for fear of attacks, which the women depended on to acquire some money with which they varied the family diets. The main coping mechanism for the households is change of meal patterns from 3-4 to 1-2 meals per day. This includes the vulnerable groups in the community which include children below five years, pregnant and lactating women, chronically sick, elderly and disabled.

Food prices have gone up due to limited supply caused by limited movements as a result of fear, as well as low income for households and this further worsens household food security.

3. Prevalence/ treatment of malnutrition: There is good coverage of treatment of malnutrition in the county, though one of the facilities at the hot spots was closed following the clashes at Wuaso Rongai. The rest are functional though fear renders services to be sub optimal. Most of the facilities have adequate stocks of both supplementary and therapeutic food commodities, but Baragoi reported inadequacy due to pressure from displaced clients who have to seek services from the health facility. Maralal district hospital which is the referral centre for inpatient management of complicated severe acute malnutrition has stock out of F75 which is used for the stabilization of inpatient cases. F100 used for catch up growth is also minimal with only one carton in stock. At the time of the assessment there was only one case at the ward but there is fear for more admissions if the situation of food insecurity is not tamed early enough.

Screening at some of the areas was challenged by the fact that only few children were found by the teams, an example is at Wuaso Rongai where only 9 children were screened, due to the volatility of the security situation. Mid Upper Arm Circumference was used to measure the impact of the emergency on nutritional status of children below five years and the following results were realized as shown in tables 1 and 2 below.

Table 1: Children 6-59 Months Old

SITE SAM MAM AT RISK HEALTHY TOTAL SCREENED

M F M F M F M F

Morijo 0 0 1 2 3 6 5 4 21Maskita 1 0 2 1 3 3 9 7 26Ngilai 0 0 2 0 1 1 5 3 12Kawop 0 0 3 4 2 4 4 1 18Tuum 2 0 7 6 5 5 4 5 34Wuaso Rongai 1 0 1 0 4 3 0 0 9

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Suyan 0 1 2 0 1 2 14 11 31

Table 2: Pregnant and Lactating Mothers

SITE </=21CMS >21CMS TOTAL

Morijo 2 0 2Maskita 1 3 3Ngilai 0 0 0Kawap 2 4 6Tuum 1 2 3Wuaso Rongai - - -Suyan 0 0 0

The results displayed above indicate a major outburst in wasting in as far as prevalence of malnutrition is concerned. 2.6% of the total number of children screened were severely malnourished, while the percentage of moderate malnutrition out of the 151 children screened was 20.5%. Percentage at risk stands at 28.4% out of the total screened. This situation is likely to deteriorate if no measures are put in place to ensure treatment of the cases already identified as malnourished, and prevention of deterioration for the ones at risk of malnutrition.

4. Coordination of nutrition services: The County has a strong team coordinating nutrition services, MOH, IMC and World Vision leading at both central and North Samburu. County nutrition Technical Forums are held on a monthly basis. Health workers offering services are well trained and are well informed, NIEC materials are available as well as policy documents for nutrition advocacy at relevant offices. Food and nutrition security interventions include: Protective food ration program executed by MOH, RAMATI and WFP targeting about

3000 recipients within Maralal municipality. General relief food distribution targeting 32,900 beneficiaries within the county lowlands

(Samburu East and North sub-counties) at 65% ration level. High Impact Nutrition Intervention targeting all under-fives, lactating and pregnant

mothers across the County.

Livelihoods and livelihood strategies have been disrupted by the conflict in Samburu North Sub-County. Livestock have been moved to very cold forests in Mt. Nyiro and Loibachai which affected their health. Two hundred (200) goats died in Wuaso Rongai when they succumbed to CCPP and unknown number of poultry got lost during the relocation from Marti to Morijo. In all the sites visited people indicated that they lack income sources due to livelihood disruptions. In Marti, the collapse of intra and inter trade among Samburu and Turkana communities has had a negative impact on food access at household level. The previously thriving charcoal and ballast business in Marti has collapsed due to reluctance of buyers to come to Marti due to increased highway banditry. The danger is that with the collapse of livelihoods, the morans have turn to highway banditry as the only viable source of income for their survival and this has disrupted the flow of goods and services to Samburu

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North Sub-County. Livestock prices are on the decline due to deteriorating body condition and unavailability of buyers. Pastoral livelihoods were affected through movement of livestock from locations with good pasture browse and water to far places due to insecurity. The movement of livestock towards Samburu East Sub-County and far-away places also affects the nutrition level of children under five years who live in formal settlements such as towns where livestock are not reared/ kept since milk will not be sold in towns.

The local community members were affected by insecurity and constant fear of attack and could not engage in small scale business such as charcoal, ballast and livestock selling. That situation has undermined the food security situation in the Sub-County.

In Kadokoi and Loibachai pressure is mounting on the water sources and pasture. The concentration of livestock in one locality could easily trigger an outbreak of notifiable diseases such as FMD, CCPP, PPR and LSD among others.

Most households are experiencing food stress with majority reporting not having enough food to eat. Households are employing various coping mechanisms such as reducing food ration, skipping of meals, sharing of meals, reduced intake from three meals to one or twice and consuming low quality meals with only one single food group.

Morans face serious challenges because of cultural and traditional practices which do not allow them to eat alone or in the presence of women at home and are therefore likely to forgo food in order for children to eat. They can skip meals for two to three days. Morans can only eat in the bush and in the presence of their agemates.

Those households that were receiving food under the GFD program reported that relief food was last distributed during the month of September. Moreover, October, December and January are seasonality months. This means that beneficiaries will continue to experience foof constrain at household level. However, in Tuum and Suyan the beneficiaries complained of receiving food in bags that were underweight. This pilferage of food while being transported to food distribution points (FDPs) need to be addressed by RAMATI and the contracted transporters. In Wuaso Rongai, relief food is not suitable to the elderly since it is maize, which they are unable to chew. They recommend that they should be given high fortified porridge and rice instead.

The IDPs in Wuaso Rongai were feeding on wild fruits ( Njasi, Lpupo, lordo) mixed with blood and honey. People living in Marti trading centre who were not affected by the conflict are experiencing disruptions in food flows to the centre as a result of conflict and are forced to eat wild fruits like Nilamacha. In Kadokoi feeding for children was not affected since the households moved with their livestock together.

The inhabitants of Wuaso Rongai and Suyan villages abandoned their household goods during the forced migration as a result of the conflict. However, Kawop village was vandalized when the owners relocated to Lenkima village for fear of revenge attack.

In all the sites visited the community members indicated that they received information on impending attacks through either word of mouth, satellite phone from a Missionary Priests

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from Tuum, horn blowing, Radio handset in Suyan provided by Grevy Zebra Conservation Trust.

Mission Objective

To undertake multi-agency rapid assessment in line with the Kenya Inter-Agency Rapid Assessment (KIRA) process in order to:

1. Clearly understand the humanitarian situation and conflict impact on the lives and livelihoods and the affected communities and locations.

2. Use primary and secondary data to collect, collate, document and verify existing information in prioritizing needs and designing humanitarian responses required.

3. Understand how different sectors and groups are affected and what needs to be done.4. To share the findings with the County stakeholders, National government and the

humanitarian agencies in order to mobilize resources for response.

Priority Locations

The sub-locations which have experienced the greatest negative impact as a result of the tribal conflicts are Wuaso Rongai, Suyan, Kawop, Lesirkan, Morijo, Kadokoi, Ngilai and Maskita.

Wuaso Rongai 380 HH Suyan 190 HH Morijo 63 HH Kadokoi 260 HH Kawop 87 HH Maskita 155 HH Lesirkan 200 HH

Total 1,335

Immediate and Emerging Needs

The priority needs identified during the assessment are: NFIs, Food, Health and Nutrition, WASH, Animal Health, Peace building and Security. Among the respondents interviewed during focus group discussions and key informant interviews, were women of child-bearing age, Morans, elders and opinion leaders. Many expressed that they had to contend with barely one meal a day. Women with children below six months reported that they were unable to exclusively breast-feed because of reduced amounts of milk due to reduced food intake, psychosocial stress and fear.

The children were instead given juice made from wild fruits to appease their hunger pangs. Children who have attained the age of weaning cannot be adequately fed because the mothers lack dietary diversities. There were no children admitted into Supplementary feeding program (SFP) and out-patient therapeutic program (OTP). Only one child in Tuum that was earlier discharged from OTP was recommended for re-admission. However, the team observed that in two weeks time if there is no immediate intervention on health and nutrition issues for the under fives, then the situation will evolve to the worse.

Compared to the male respondents, women’s responses in Kawop indicated that their first priority was food, followed by shelter.

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In a focus group discussion involving morans in Wuaso Rongai and Tuum they identified security as their priority need. This was followed by provision of network coverage, food, restocking families that lost their livelihood, income generating activities through the UWEZO fund and road network improvements.

However, women prioritized food, shelter and health as issues that should be addressed. They were concerned that now that they are living in the caves and the forest with a lot of rains; their children have no protective clothing and may succumb to pneumonia and malaria.

The elders’ priority was security, food, shelter, human and animal health and restocking. In Morijo and Lokadokoi, women prioritized shelter and food as the most important need. Security was the third need. This was of concern to the Marti women and men who question the motive of relocating the Samburu to Morijo. In Lenkima for the households that moved from Kawop, their priority need was food and shelter. Men indicated they were willing to return to their village in Kawop if the government guaranteed their security by establishing a GSU camp. While the households from Suyan that relocated to Barsaloi prioritized food, shelter and security as the number one need. The men were willing to return to their village in Suyan if there is security guarantee. They proposed that an AP camp be established there and additional KPR be recruited.

In Lesirkan both men and women prioritized food, shelter and security as a need. They requested additional food is supplied to Lesirkan primary school that has received displaced children and parents from Wuaso Rongai, Ngilai and Bendera. Lesirkan had received and hosted100 HHs that required shelter and food.

The greater population affected by the conflict derive water from seasonal rivers, ponds and earth pans. These water sources are exposed to contamination from both human and livestock. In Lenkima and Barsaloi people defecate in the bush and the waste is washed into the seasonal rivers where they fetch their water. While in Wuaso Rongai people defecate in the forest and when it rains the faeces are washed into Wuaso Rongai River where the households draw water for domestic use. The households requested to be supplied with water treatment chemicals to ensure that they do not contract waterborne diseases.It was also observed that in all the sites visited in the Sub-County, latrine coverage and use was very low. Culturally, people prefer to defecate in the bush and this poses a challenge on the water and sanitation issues.

In the sites visited, gender and protection issues were visible. The shelters are made of sticks, polythene paper and carton boxes that are open and exposed women, girls and children to security and safety concerns. Both men and women expressed fear of children and the elderly contracting diseases under the prevailing rainy conditions for lack of protective clothing. Currently, most members of the household sleep crammed in the shelter and men are unable to sleep outside because of the rains.

Cross-Cutting Issues

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From focus group discussions, key informant interviews and direct observations, it was evident that different genders had different priority needs, for instance the morans mentioned security, food, shelter and network coverage respectively as their priority needs. The elders prioritized food, security, human and animal health and WASH.

Women had NFIs as their number one priority, followed by food, health, and WASH respectively. Pregnant and lactating women were concerned with the health of their children, food, shelter, NFIs and WASH. The most affected groups were children, pregnant and lactating mothers, the sick and elderly, people with disability, PLWHAs and the morans.

The households that relocated their villages to Lenkima, Kadokoi, Morijo and Barsaloi impacted negatively on the environment cutting trees and shrubs for fuelwood and construction of their huts and livestock bomas. In Lenkima households are cutting firewood for sale in Baragoi town.

It was also evident that all the IDP’s want to go back, if security is improved and guaranteed. For instance, Lenkima inhabitants indicated they could go back to Kawop if the government provided them with adequate security. While the Barsaloi IDPs said they could go back if an AP post is established at Suyan. Only Wuaso Rongai IDPs said they wanted additional KPR and the AP camp operationalized.

Opening of all closed schools will assist school going children access food in school and this will relief parents the burden of providing food to their children during the day. The children are said to have been beneficiaries of the school-feeding program and now relied solely on the food prepared within the household.

Response Capacity: Summary of overall capacity to respond

The protracted conflicts have weakened the local communities’ capacities. Various households have resorted to feeding on wild fruits like Njasi, Lpupo, lordo mixed with blood and honey. People living in Marti trading centre who were not affected by the conflict are experiencing disruptions in food flows to the centre as a result of conflict and are forced to eat wild fruits like Nilamacha. 50 % of the respondents were willing to sell their assets but they could not get buyers. While 20 % reported they could sell their assets only that the body condition was poor. In lenkima, households were breaking stones into ballast and cutting firewood for sale in Baragoi town. Other response mechanisms include reduction in the number of meals, borrowing food or buying food on credit and others have changed diet.

Under the GFD program that is supported by Gok/WFP 32,900 beneficiaries are receiving food aid in the entire County. Out of this number about 15,500 are from Samburu North Sub-County. The months of October, December and January were treated as seasonality months where the beneficiaries will provide food for themselves. It is only in the month of November that they will receive food. The food for the beneficiaries in Kawop, Marti and Suyan was distributed in Lenkima, Morijo and Barsaloi respectively. There are also 2,184 beneficiaries under the high impact nutrition intervention (HINI) in the County.

National Response Capacity

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The only response has been the deployment of security forces to embark on disarmament exercise in the entire Sub-County. This exercise if implemented will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis the displaced people are currently facing. The circulation of the KIRA report for Samburu North Sub-County will hopefully trigger responses from the National and local stakeholders. However, KRCS, IMC, WVK, Caritas and the Ministry departments and the County government have existing technical capacities which can be deployed immediately. KRCS has NFIs in their warehouses which can be moved to the affected population immediately.

Response Priorities

Only County government and Kenya Red Cross has responded with County government providing relief food and KRCS airlifted the causalities and sourcing for blood from Nyeri to Wamba.

The most affected sectors across the ten (10) sites assessed are food security and livelihoods. That was as a result of insufficient food stocks in the Market and significant changes in market prices due to interruptions in the supply chain. The high transport cost reported across the different sites equally stretched up the cost of goods and services. Shelter was also urgently required as over-crowding and the issue of privacy was reported across all the sites. There is urgent need of food items and other relief interventions that could help the communities to restart/continue their livelihood activities.

Constraints

Lack of funds for disaster response in the sectors and unclear procedures on how to access the County government disaster funds and the bureaucratic nature of government transactions are the constraints that hindered the successful response.

Transporting humanitarian assistance to Samburu North Sub-County is a nightmare and most transporters demand large sums of money to cover transport, tear and wear and the security risk.

Recommendations

The KIRA team after analysing the report recommends that the following sectors be given priority when the responses are activated: Health and Nutrition, Livestock and Agriculture, WASH and NFIs as the immediate priority needs across the Sub-County.

There was also need for stronger early recovery and long term development projects to reduce disaster impacts, strengthen resilience for overall improvement in the living conditions of the pastoralist’s communities.

There was also need for capacity building of the County government in terms of contingency planning and response in light of frequent disasters that affect the County. The following recovery needs in the affected sub-county are as highlighted below:-

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FOOD Food had been ranked as the key priority in areas where the assessment was conducted, there was thus need to provide food to all displaced population. In addition food should be provided to schools that received additional pupils and the once that reported food was looted.

NON- FOOD ITEMS

Provision of NFIs to displaced populations in Wuaso Rongai, Lenkima, Morijo, Kadokoi, Barsaloi, and Lesirkan.

WASH

Up-scaling of hygiene and sanitation promotion services across the Sub-County considering latrine coverage and usage is low at 10%. Households should be provided with water treatment chemicals and adequate clean water storage facilities.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION1. Immediate food support for pregnant & lactating mothers and children below five years of age among other vulnerable groups in the population.2. Immediate strengthening of supply chain to ensure availability of stock at all facilities treating malnutrition and activation of regular outreaches with IMAM component to areas without the services, like Maskita. 3. Up-scaling of de-worming, immunization and Vitamin A supplementation at hot spots.4. Immediate support with shelter to facilitate improved care practices for children below five years of age, especially at Wuaso Rongai and Lenkima.5. Psychosocial support and assurance for lactating mothers to aid in production of adequate breast milk. 6. There was urgent need to open up Wuaso Rongai health centre and post a staff member to offer services to the displaced people. 7. In Tuum, an additional staff should be deployed to assist the CHW who was assisting mothers deliver and the maternity wing should be equipped with delivery bed and beddings. 8. A strategy for disease surveillance and management should be in place to contain Diarrhea, Malaria and Acute respiratory infections (ARC) to avoid further humanitarian crises.

LIVELIHOODS

Restocking of households that lost their livelihoods during the raids and provision of capital grants through UWEZO fund to youth groups to start income generating activities is recommended. Elders in Tuum requested for the development of an irrigation scheme in the area to boost food security and provide an alternative source of livelihood. The team recommends that vaccination of livestock against FMD, PPR, CCPP and CBPP be carried out to protect the pastoral assets.

EDUCATION

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Plans need to be put in place to repair the doors and windows of Kawop primary school when the school reopens and the residents of Kawop who are currently living in Lenkima go back to their village.Food should be provided to the schools that received displaced pupils e.g. Lesirkan, Morijo, Barsaloi, Nachola, Natiti, Baragoi and Maskita and construction of pit latrines for schools facing congestion as a result of hosting other displaced schools.

SECURITYProvision of AP and GSU camps in Wuaso Rongai, Maskita, Suyan and Kawop. Enhance community policing and peace building.

ANNEX 1: Assessment Team Contacts

S/No.

Name Ministry/Organization

Department Email Address

1. Lucy Sembei

KRCS Nutrition sembei.lucy@kenyaredcross.org

2. Lekiito Peter

CHILDFUND Programmes plekiito@yahoo.com

3. Joseph M. Kilonzo

Agriculture & Livestock

Livestock Production

josemkilonzo@gmail.com

4. Losenge David

NDMA Technical Services

dloosenge@yahoo.com

5. Christopher R. Lemingani

ACTED Programs rogerslemingani@yahoo.com

6. Alex Louwa

IMC Nutrition alouwa@internationalmedicalcorps.org

7. Tom Omollo

KRCS DM omollo.tom@kenyaredcross.org

8. John Bosco Losusui

MOH DNO latifflosusui@gmail.com

9. Gitonga Mugambi

KRCS B/Coordinator

mugambi.gitonga@kenyaredcross.org

10. David Onchonga

MOH DMCC/PH davies22003@yahoo.co.uk

11. Julius Lentawa

CHILDFUND Program Officer

jlentawa@gmail.com

12. Geoffrey M. Manene

Water DWO- Samburu North

geoffmanene@yahoo.com

13. Meshack Ajode

KRCS Isiolo WASH owino.meshack@kenyaredcross.org

14. Parkolwa, H. Mustafa

NDMA Technical Services

henry.parkolwa@ndma.go.ke Parkolwa@yahoo.com

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15. Lenanyokie Julius

UNOCHA Humanitarian

lenanyokie@un.org

16. Peter Emanman

MOE Education emanmanp@yahoo.comcdesamburu@gmail.com

17. Richard Nabei

County Government CEC Medical Services

richardnabei@gmail.com

18. Christine Lentoimaga

County Government CEC Social Services

christinelentoimaga@yahoo.com

19. Engasia S.S Vodenge

Agriculture & Livestock

Agriculture cdasamburu@gmail.com

20. Delio Lekarsia

WVK PO Peace Building

Delio_Lekarsia@wvi.org

21. Jennifer Senteiyo Longida

RAMATI Field Supervisor

ramati@fishernet.co.ke

22. Cleopus Angwenyi

CARITAS Maralal Livelihoods

23. Peter Lesoni

CJPC Maralal Peace Coordinator

24. Patrick Ngamon

CJPC Maralal Livelihoods

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