ICC 23 Jan confirmed crimes against humanity charges against 4 Kenyans, including deputy PM and treasury minister Uhuru Kenyatta and former minister William Ruto, for roles in 2008 election violence. In surprise move, Kenyatta 26 Jan resigned from treasury. Gunmen 1 Jan killed 5 in attack on 2 Garissa bars; al-Shabaab attack on Gerille police camp killed 7, 3 kidnapped. Kenya-based al-Shabaab linked Muslim Youth Center 15 Jan announced leader appointed to represent al-Qaeda in Kenya. Tribal militia clashes in Moyale, NE, 26-28 Jan left at least 21 dead. Human Rights Watch 12 Jan accused security forces of abusing Somali refugees, Kenyan Somalis in Dadaab refugee camp and wider area; forces denied allegations. High Court 13 Jan delayed elections to March 2013 unless coalition govt collapses, forcing earlier poll.

Military 3 Dec claimed Somalia’s al-Shabaab command structure dismantled, 17 Dec threatened air raids deep in Somalia, said would “never relent” until “Kenya feels safe”. Conducted series of attacks 13-15 Dec on al-Shabaab camps in northern Somalia; 20 Dec killed 10, injured 13 in airstrike in Juba border region; 21 Dec killed al-Shabaab commander, 18 militia in airstrikes near border. Military 25 Dec continued to deny allegations civilians attacked in airstrikes, 28 Dec said 200 al-Shabaab killed in recent air raids. Al-Shabaab retaliatory attacks continued. Series of attacks on security forces at Dadaab refugee camp 11-19 Dec; 9 soldiers injured by landmine 11 Dec near Mandera; explosion wounded 6 in independence day parade in Wajir town 12 Dec; 2 grenades wounded 7 in attack on nightclub in east Wajir. Authorities 21 Dec confirmed death threats against Defence Minister and Deputy Speaker, both ethnic Somalis who supported military campaign against al-Shabaab. Gunman 30 Dec killed head of Community Peace and Security Team, Hagadera camp, Dadaab; gunman 1 Jan killed Somali refugee leader at Ifo camp, Dadaab. 4 killed 4 Dec by suspected Ethiopian raiders on village in Moyale district; at least 10 killed 25-28 Dec, 9 killed 30 Dec in pastoralist clashes near Isiolo town, northern Kenya.

Series of al-Shabaab retaliatory attacks in northern border region. 2 killed, 3 injured 5 Nov in grenade attack on church in Garissa town, bomb planted at power transformer in central Garissa failed to detonate; attack blamed on al-Shabaab sympathizer. Al-Shabaab 6 Nov attacked police camp in Mandera district, left 1 dead; bomb targeting police exploded 15 Nov at Dadaab refugee camp wounding 4. UN aid convoy 5 Nov struck landmine which failed to detonate in Dadaab camp. Garissa leaders 19 Nov accused military of excessive force to flush out suspected al-Shabaab. Police 13 Nov reported 30 Kenya-based al-Shabaab militants accepted police amnesty; 26 Nov arrested 5 suspected al-Shabaab fighters in Lamu, 29 Nov arrested 4 suspects in Kiunga. Govt 1 Nov claimed aircraft delivering weapons to al-Shabaab landed in Baidoa, southern Somalia; FM Wetangula suggested arms supplied by Eritrea; govt 27 Nov filed case before UNSC sanctions committee calling for investigation, sparking diplomatic row. Series of public worker strikes mid-Nov over cost of Somalia military operation, low wages. Sudan 29 Nov expelled Kenya’s ambassador to Khartoum, day after Kenya court ruling ordered execution of ICC arrest warrant for Sudan President Bashir if he enters Kenya; Nairobi called ruling “unhelpful”, plans to appeal. Supreme Court 15 Nov refused to rule on date for elections, prompting increased concern over govt attempt to amend polling timeline.

2 grenade explosions 24 Oct in Nairobi bar and bus station left 1 dead, at least 20 injured, and attack 27 Oct on bus near Somali border killed 8, following 16 Oct launch of Kenyan military operation in Somalia to drive back al-Shabaab from border zones and take port of Kismayo; al-Shabaab 17 Oct threatened retaliatory attacks unless Kenyan troops withdraw, air and ground operations halted. Kenyan al-Shabaab member 28 Oct pleaded guilty to 24 Oct grenade attacks; sentenced to life imprisonment. Kenyan troops and pro-Somali govt forces 19 Oct reported capture of key al-Shabaab base, killed 75 militants; conflicting reports Kenyan military supported by U.S. drones and French naval forces. Police 21 Oct arrested 10 people including Muslim cleric on UN sanctions list in aggressive police clampdown on alleged supporters of al-Shabaab militants; 2 doctors appeared in court 21 Oct charged with involvement in organized criminal activity. 2 Spanish aid workers kidnapped in Dadaab refugee camp by Somali gunmen 13 Oct. 12 reported killed 23 Oct in pastoralist clashes in north.

2 Rift Valley cabinet ministers, MP, prominent businessman and political activist named during ICC in camera proceedings as part of network headed by suspended higher education minister William Ruto, accused of crimes against humanity. ICC warned it may prosecute MP Charles Keter for intimidation of prosecution witnesses. Somalia’s al-Shabaab believed responsible for 11 Sept killing of UK man and kidnapping of his wife at resort near border. Govt 30 Sept increased border security following clashes between al-Shabaab and Somalian pro-govt militia near Kenyan border (see Somalia).

200 security officers deployed to Turkana to guard against attacks by Merille tribesmen from Ethiopia following string of attacks, including 13 killed in 5 Aug raid. ICC prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo submitted evidence 1 Aug identifying suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto as head of ‘”multi-faceted network” that attacked Party of National Unity supporters in Rift Valley in 2008 post-election violence. Also released dossier implicating military in meetings with members of outlawed Mungiki sect at presidential residence to plan revenge attacks during violence; govt denied meetings took place. ICC appeals chamber 30 Aug confirmed admissibility of Kenya post-election violence cases.

Govt reported growing influx of refugees fleeing drought and conflict in Somalia unmanageable, asked AU to relocate refugees to other countries. Rioting in Dadaab refugee camp 1 July, where over 1,000 Somali refugees arriving daily, left 2 dead. Govt 14 July agreed to open Ifo II camp near Dadaab to relieve overcrowding in other camps. 1 policeman killed 27 July by bomb in Mandera near Somali border, believed to have been detonated remotely from Somalia. In Nairobi police 7 July used tear gas to disperse crowds protesting rising food, fuel prices. Authorities 4 July reported to ICC they had begun interrogations of “Ocampo 6”, group of prominent politicians accused of playing lead role in 2008 post-election violence. 27 July UN report claimed cabinet minister and nominated MP, among others, funding activities of al-Shabaab.

Following May deadly border clashes between Kenyan Turkana and Ethiopian Merille tribes, Kenya and Ethiopia 2 June agreed steps to ease tensions, improve border security. Reported attack 12 June by Toposa tribes left 11 Kenyan pastoralists dead near Sudan border; 10 killed 25 June in N Kenya during fighting between raiders and cattle herders. ICC 1 June promised to share information with govt to aid investigations of 2007-2008 post-election violence; 29 June confirmed no hearings to be held in Kenya. Govt 6 June appealed against late-May ICC decision rejecting its request to halt ICC trial. Parliament passed 2 crucial reform bills, including electoral and boundaries commission. 10 wounded in 2 June IED attack on army patrol in NE, suspected al-Shabaab involvement.

Ethiopian Merrille tribesmen 2 May reportedly killed at least 40 Kenyan Turkana villagers near Todonyang on border; President Kibaki 12 May met Ethiopian PM Meles to resolve dispute amid Turkana reprisals; Kenya sent troops to secure border following reports up to 2,500 Merrille had settled in N Kenya since attacks. ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo 11 May released initial evidence against 3 post-election violence suspects including suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto and journalist Joshua Arap Sang. Ruto and Sang 18 May requested ICC pre-trial chamber reprimand Moreno-Ocampo over “baseless” allegations in cases against them. Court of Appeals Justice Philip Waki 20 May defended ICC process, called for creation of local tribunal to try other suspects. Moreno-Ocampo 29 May accused govt of creating “climate of fear”. ICC 30 May refused govt request to halt trial. Cabinet 19 May approved 2 crucial bills driving constitutional implementation process.

Rising fuel costs triggered 19 Apr protests despite govt announcement previous day of 20-30% tax cuts on fuel. Nairobi Chief Magistrate Gilbert Mutembei 12 Apr cleared suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto of fraud charges related to illegal sale of land. Following court ruling, Ruto 25 Apr announced decision to run for president on United Democratic Movement ticket. Previously Ruto, 5 others 7-8 Apr appeared before ICC in relation to 2007-2008 post-election violence. Truth Commission 11 Apr commenced first public hearings to investigate some 3,000 killings at Wagalla airstrip in northeast during 1984 govt crackdown on ethnic Somalis.