Terrorist attack on Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi killed at least 67 and injured hundreds 20-24 Sept; Somali al-Shabaab militant group 21 Sept claimed responsibility for attack, said in retaliation for Kenya’s intervention in Somalia; at least 8 arrested. ICC trial of Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang began 10 Sept. National Assembly and Senate mid-month passed motion to withdraw from ICC’s Rome Statute. Clashes between Borana and Gabra communities in Marsabit county continued.

Al-Shabaab militants mid-Aug attacked police post in Galmagala, killing 4; Kenyan Defence Forces 20 Aug clashed with some 20 Al-Shabaab in Garissa, reportedly killing at least 10. Police 22 Aug warned Somalia Al-Shabaab militants may be planning attacks in Mombasa to coincide with anniversary of assassination of Muslim cleric Aboud Rogo. Over 20 reportedly killed late Aug in clashes in Moyale in north; govt warned it would use force to restore peace; local MP denied deaths due to intercommunal clashes between Borana and Gabra, said militiamen crossing border from Ethiopia to blame.

ICC judges 15 July ruled all proceedings in trial of Deputy President Ruto for crimes against humanity during 2007-8 election violence to be held at The Hague. Aide to former PM Odinga interviewed by police following allegations he plotted to initiate uprising; rights activists accused govt of intimidating dissenters. Leaked UN Monitoring Group Report on Somalia and Eritrea accused Kenyan Defence Forces of facilitating illegal charcoal exports from Kismayo, Somalia; military denied accusations, said report “poorly researched”.

National Assembly early June rejected Senate’s recommendation for budget increase for counties;President Kenyatta 10 June signed bill with lower county budget. Senators and governors 12 June brought appeal to Supreme Court alleging Kenyatta acted unconstitutionally and should have established mediation between two Houses of Parliament, called for greater autonomy in determining county budgets as part of devolution process. Police Inspector General David Kimaiyo 17 June appointed 47 county police commanders despite protests from National Police Service Commission (NPSC). ICC judges 20 June pushed back trial of President Kenyatta to 12 Nov. 9 killed 21 June in clashes between Garreh and Degodia clans in Wajir and Mandera county; Kenyatta 24 June ordered groups to surrender illegal arms, warned of possible govt security operation if conflict continues. At least 15 killed in grenade attack on IDP camp in Joroqo, Mandera 23 June.

Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission report released 21 May, repeated allegations newly-elected President Kenyatta and VP Ruto involved in 2007-8 post-election violence; also documented widespread illegal killings, corruption and human rights violations by former presidents Kenyatta, Moi and Kibaki. Parliament 14 May approved President Kenyatta’s 16 cabinet nominees. Security deteriorated in Wajir, Garissa and Mandera including attacks on security personnel. Clashes between Degodia and Gare clans in Mandera began 10 May killing at least 19, injuring 42 and displacing over 6,600. 6 killed, including 2 police, 25 May in suspected Al-Shabaab attack on police border posts in Garissa county. Two suspected terrorists, including Felix Otuko suspected of 2 grenade attacks in Oct 2011, killed by police 18 May in Nairobi. Muslim cleric accused of links to Al-Shabaab killed by police 26 May in Mombassa. Human Rights Watch 29 May reported “10-week rampage” late 2012 by Kenyan police, accused them of torture and abuse of refugees, Somali Kenyans. Kenyan ambassador to UN Macharia Kamau 2 May requested UNSC dismiss ICC cases against Kenyatta  and VP Ruto; Ruto and attorney general disavowed letter, reaffirmed govt cooperation with ICC.

Uhuru Kenyatta inaugurated as president 9 April after winning March elections; Supreme Court 16 April confirmed validity of election. Amani coalition dissolved after several members left to align with ruling Jubilee coalition. Kenyatta’s trial at ICC for role in 2007 post-election violence still scheduled to begin July. Kenyatta 23 April unveiled choices for PM, health, information, finance ministers. 10 killed in gun attack in Garissa town 18 April; at least 10 police officers and chiefs in NE region suspended for alleged involvement in illegal activities, links to criminal entities behind killings in Garissa.

Largely peaceful presidential elections held 4 March: violence along coast in Kilif, Mombasa and Kwale counties on eve of election left 18 dead, including 6 police officers; Mombasa Republican Council blamed, denied responsibility. Electoral Commission declared ICC indictee Uhuru Kenyatta winner with 50.07% of vote; 86% of registered voters voted. Supreme Court 30 March upheld Kenyatta win after 25 March ordering partial recount of vote on basis of petition by PM Odinga alleging irregularities. 2 killed, 11 injured 30 March during protests over Supreme Court ruling. ICC 11 March announced charges against former civil service chief Francis Muthaura for role in 2007 election violence dropped, Kenyatta case postponed to 9 July, Ruto and Sang case to 28 May. At least 7, including policeman, killed 28 March in attack on casino in Malindi, coastal region.

Ahead of presidential polls scheduled for 4 March, High Court 15 Feb ruled that only Supreme Court has jurisdiction to decide eligibility of ICC indictees Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto to run, leaving both free to contest elections; petition filed to bring issue before Supreme Court. Chief Justice Willy Mutunga 20 Feb said he, along with other judges and ambassadors, had received death threats signed “Mungiki Veteran Group. Kenya Sovereignty Defence Squad” ahead of ruling. All 8 presidential candidates 11 Feb and 25 Feb took part in televised debates following initial exclusion of Safina candidate Paul Muite and Alliance for Real Change candidate Mohammed Abduba Dida. AU envoy and former UNSG Kofi Annan 23 Feb warned of election-related violence. Somali militant group Al-Shabaab 27 Feb warned of “long, gruesome war” ahead of elections. 7 killed 21 Feb in attack on mosque in NE near Dadaab refugee camp.

Political parties’ nominations marred by irregularities, disorganisation; Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) extended nomination process to 18 Jan following delayed delivery of voting materials; violence erupted in Kisumu town when PM Odinga’s sister allegedly declared ODM’s candidate for governor’s post. EU 23 Jan announced deployment of 70 election observers to monitor 4 March elections. Visiting UN political affairs chief Jeffrey Feltman 31 Jan emphasised need for peaceful and credible elections. At least 11 killed 20 Jan in Kibisu village, Tana River district, in retaliatory attack for 21 Dec clashes between Orma and Pokomo that killed 42. High Court ruling 23 Jan provisionally halted relocation of urban Somali refugees to camps, reportedly scheduled to begin 21 Jan. 2 killed, 7 injured 5 Jan in grenade attack on Dadaab refugee camp.

Ahead of March 2013 presidential elections key politicians forming alliances: PM Odinga, VP Kalonzo Musyoka and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetangula formed Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD); ICC indictees William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta formed Jubilee Alliance. Official figures released 21 Dec showed 14.3mn registered voters following month-long electronic voter registration exercise, falling short of 18mn target. Govt 13 Dec ended urban stays for refugees, requiring them to move back to refugee camps, and instigated mandatory registration for new arrivals. Police 17 Dec reported 7 Yemenis and 1 Somali arrested following grenade blast in predominantly ethnic Somali Eastleigh neighbourhood of Nairobi. Suspected Islamists 27 Dec shot dead policeman in Mandera town on border with Somalia. Court 19 Dec sentenced to death 6 police officers convicted of killing 7 taxi operators in Kawangware March 2010.