Group seeking court ruling on whether Deputy PM Kenyatta and former agriculture minister William Ruto, charged by ICC with crimes against humanity, are eligible to run in March 2013 presidential elections withdrew case 29 Nov. Ruto and Kenyatta reportedly negotiating plan to run for election on joint ticket. Month-long biometric voter registration began 19 Nov following several delays. Suspected Turkana cattle raiders 10-11 Nov reportedly killed over 40 police officers in Suguta valley, NW; subsequent arrival of hundreds of Kenya Defence Forces, police and paramilitary General Service Unit caused hundreds to flee fearing reprisals. Grenade attack 18 Nov killed at least 7 in community. 1 policeman killed, 11 injured 4 Nov in grenade attack on church in Garissa town; 3 soldiers killed 19 Nov in ambush; at least 8 shot, 50 wounded in army crackdown following attacks. Kenya elected to UNHRC 12 Nov.

In wave of arrests of separatist Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) members, police 15 Oct arrested MRC leader Omar Mwamnuadzi and shot dead 2 supporters in Kwale, near Mombasa; Mwamnuadzi charged with fire arms possession,incitement to violence; 2 killed 28 Oct including Muslim cleric in police raid in Mombasa. 3 suspected al-Shabaab killed 17 Oct in police raids near Mombasa. President Kibaki 9 Oct vetoed bill passed by parliament awarding MPs large bonus following protests in Nairobi. ICC Prosecutor Bensouda visited 22-27 Oct,criticised politicians’ politicisation of ICC trial. PM Odinga 24 Oct said voter registration delays will not change 4 March 2013 election date. Thousands of Baringo county residents late month fled clashes between Pokot and Tugen communities; 13 killed 30 Oct in reported Samburu raid on Turkana village in Samburu County.4 killed 29-30 Oct in Kisumu in demonstrations following 29 Oct killing of local politician. Suspected al-Shabaab militants 1 Oct attacked Garissa police post, 2 Oct torched Garissa police station;policeman killed, 1 injured 30 Oct in ambush on patrol in Garissa.

Violence between Polomo, Oromo ethnic groups in Tana River area continued with over 100 killed since mid-Aug: police 17 Sept announced discovery of mass grave in Garsen area; 38 killed 10 Sept, including 9 police, govt official; 4 killed 11 Sept in clashes; 2 junior ministers charged with hate speech, inciting violence. At least 11 killed 27 Sept when residents clashed with suspected members of Mombassa Republican Council in Kilifi forest. Police 14 Sept announced arms, ammunitions, explosives cache seized in Nairobi raid, 2 suspects arrested; Abdimajid Yassin pleaded guilty to bomb possession, al-Shabaab membership, sentenced 20 Sept to 59 years in jail. 2 killed, several injured 30 Sept in grenade attack on Nairobi church; 2 police officers shot dead same day in Garissa. Preacher Abubakar Shariff Ahmed, accused by U.S. of supporting al-Shabaab militants, arrested 3 Sept, charged with inciting violence following Aug assassination of fellow preacher Aboud Rogo. Kenyan AMISOM soldier accused of deliberately killing 6 Somali civilians arrested 24 Sept. UN Humanitarian Coordinator Mark Bowden 19 Sept met with Defence Minister Yusuf Haji and other military officials to discuss civilian protection in Kismayo, Somalia.

Leader of Muslim Youth Centre (MYC) extremist group Aboud Rogo Mohammed shot dead 27 Aug in Mombasa; thousands rioted in protest, at least 1 killed; 4 police wounded 30 Aug in grenade attack; President Kibaki visited 30 Aug, called for tolerance. Attorney General 6 Aug filed appeal against High Court’s overturning of ban on Mombasa Republican Council (MRC), said group engaged in criminal activities, threatens national security. New anti-terrorism bill tabled mid-Aug opposed by Muslim organisations, human rights groups as discriminatory. Over 52 killed 21 Aug in agro-pastoralist conflict between Oromas and Pokomos, Tana river delta; govt 23 Aug announced countrywide disarmament operation.

Security intensified in Nairobi, Mombasa and border towns as al-Shabaab militants warned of large-scale attacks in Kenya during Ramadan. 17 killed 1 July in attack on churches in Garissa; Muslim leaders offered Muslim patrols to protect churches from attack. 3 police killed 16 July in Liboi near Somalia border; at least 4 injured 18 July in grenade attacks on restaurant, shop in Wajir; 6 injured 26 July in bomb attack on Dadaab refugee camp. AMISOM 6 July formally assumed command of Kenyan troops in Somalia. Appeal Court 31 July upheld IBEC decision setting March 2013 election date. ICC 9 July announced Deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta, MP William Ruto to be tried April 2013, 1 month after presidential elections. High Court 25 July overturned 2010 ban on separatist Mombassa Republican Council (MRC).

Investigation launched into death of Internal Security Minister George Saitoti and 5 others in helicopter crash 10 June.Prosecutors, defence lawyers early June agreed on post- election March 2013 start date for ICC trial, awaiting judges’ decision. Police 22 June announced arrest of 2 Iranian terror suspects in Nairobi. U.S. embassy 23 June warned of imminent terror attack in Mombasa; grenade attack 24 June killed 3. Driver killed, 4 aid workers kidnapped at Dadaab refugee camp by suspected al-Shabaab sympathisers. PM Odinga 12 June said Kenyan Defence Forces planning “final onslaught” on Somalia’s Kismayo port before Somalia’s scheduled 20 Aug presidential elections. Kenyan troops integrated into AMISOM 2 June. Some 200 28 June protested outside parliament against impunity, corruption; same day, High Court quashed corruption charges against former govt minister Henry Kosgey.

PM Raila Odinga warned of ethnic violence around next year’s polls, said some politicians seeking to “Balkanise” country along ethnic lines. 5 police officers killed in bomb explosion at Dadaab refugee camp 15 May; same day 1 killed, 5 wounded in nightclub grenade attack, Mombasa; 1 killed, over 30 injured by bomb explosions 27 May, Nairobi. Armed forces 31 May announced capture of Somali towns Afmadow, Hayo, at least 17 al-Shabaab militants killed.

U.S. embassy 23 April warned of planned terrorist attack on Nairobi hotels, govt buildings. 1 killed, 15 wounded 29 April in grenade attack on Nairobi church. Director of Public Prosecutions 9 April announced investigation into alleged plot to assassinate PM Odinga. 1 killed 24 April as police dispersed demonstration by banned secessionist Mombasa Republican Council; President Kibaki 24 April emphasised secession will not happen. Muslim Human Rights forum late-month accused police of abducting, illegally executing terror suspect Samir Khan, abducting one other; police denied allegations, said investigation underway. 4 top judges declared unfit for office 24 April by committee investigating judicial impartiality.

At least 9 killed, over 60 wounded 10 March in Nairobi grenade attack; al-Shabaab denied responsibility, threatened largescale attacks; 4 suspects arrested, freed 12 March. One killed, 15 injured 31 March in 2 grenade attacks in Mombassa. AU 17 March announced AMISOM will take command of Kenyan troops in Somalia 30 March. ICC 9 March rejected application by 4 indictees including Deputy PM Kenyatta, former minister Ruto requesting appeal on decision to try them for 2008 election-related killings. Pro-ICC Justice Minister Kilonzo 27 March replaced in cabinet reshuffle. Elections body 17 March announced 4 March 2013 general election date, move criticised by ODM and civil society. In Mandera, clashes between Degodia, Gabbra communities continued throughout month, hundreds protested 22 March against growing insecurity.

Operations against al-Shabaab in Somalia continued throughout Feb: army 11 Feb claimed it had cut off 75% of al-Shabaab revenue; 4 Feb said al-Shabaab lost control of 2 key towns 1-2 Feb. Police 18 Feb said al-Shabaab suspected of killing at least 30 Kenyan civilians since start of operations in Somalia, dozens of Kenyan youth recruited and operating in Kenya; 6 Kenyan suspected al-Shabaab members arrested 23 Feb entering Kenya near Kiunga. Security forces 29 Feb arrested at least 10 youths following 28 Feb landmine blast that killed policeman, injured 8 in Mandera. Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission 10 Feb requested principals dissolve coalition govt in Oct to allow for Dec elections; Cabinet 16 Feb ruled out 2012 polls. UNOCHA 7 Feb said tens of thousands displaced from northern Moyale region by clashes between Borana and Gabra pastoralists, majority crossed into Ethiopia; Ethiopian Oromo Liberation Front suspected of involvement.