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Political crisis in Kenya

Following the outbreak of violence after December's disputed elections, Oxfam is supporting Kenyan groups working towards a peaceful solution to the crisis.

The situation

The violence has left hundreds dead, and the Kenyan Red Cross estimates around 290,000 people have been forced from their homes. Many others are sheltering in their homes with dwindling supplies of food and water.

Kenya has a highly developed network of local civil society groups which have quickly launched a range of relief and peacemaking initiatives. Oxfam staff there are working in coalition with national and international organisations, as well as church groups and cultural figures, all pushing for a peaceful solution to this crisis.

Oxfam's response

Oxfam is expanding its programme in Kenya in direct response to the recent crisis. We are supporting initiatives by grass roots peace groups including PeaceNet, an national umbrella body made up of organisations and individuals supporting human rights, peace, reconciliation, and justice.

Learn more about peace groups Oxfam is supporting

Many of those displaced by the violence are residing in unsuitable public institutions such as churches, police stations, prisons, and schools. We are working closely with the Kenyan Red Cross to improve the basic services available to people in these cramped conditions; to do this we are providing two ‘rapid response’ teams to carry out emergency public health work.

The teams will establish basic water distribution networks and storage capacity, and ensure water quality. They will also improve sanitation facilities and carry out public health campaigns, distributing mosquito nets, soap, and cleaning kits. Each team will provide support to up to 30,000 people.

In addition to people ‘visibly displaced’, (ie those congregating in displaced persons camps), we believe that many more will be hidden – sheltering with family or friends. More generally, many of those not physically displaced are nevertheless struggling to meet food needs because of escalating prices or lack of supply. Unemployment for people in agricultural and tourist sectors is another contributor to loss of livelihood. We are committed to staying flexible, ready to adapt our response to new needs as they become apparent.

5 February 2008