President Kenyatta 9 Jan signed law allowing manual voting and ballot counting in Aug 2017 presidential and parliamentary polls if electronic system fails; opposition challenged law claiming it would open door to vote manipulation and that ruling Jubilee party used “underhand tactics” to pass it. Five main opposition parties including Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement, runner-up in 2013 vote, formed National Super Alliance of Kenya (NASA) 11 Jan but have not agreed on joint candidate. Al-Shabaab 27 Jan temporarily captured base of Kenyan troops in AU mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in Kulbiyow, 18km from Kenyan border (see Somalia).

Opposition leaders Raila Odinga of Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) and Musalia Mudavadi of Amani National Congress (ANC) 6 Dec said they would form coalition to contest 2017 presidential elections. Ahead of Aug 2017 general elections, primaries of ruling Jubilee Party 12-18 Dec marred by claims of rigging and voter intimidation. President Kenyatta 12 Dec accused foreign states and Western-funded NGOs of interfering in electoral process; govt 19 Dec suspended U.S.-funded civic education project. Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) 16 Dec started audit of voter roll. Al-Shabaab 12-14 Dec destroyed four telecommunication masts in Mandera county; Mandera governor said group trying to isolate county, planning major attack. Al-Shabaab 24 Dec attacked communication mast near Tarbaj, Wajir county, killing two people. Govt 27 Dec extended curfew in Mandera county until 28 March.

Inter-clan clashes in Wajir county in NE over constituency boundaries and access to water and pasture killed ten people and injured seven during Nov. Samburu and Turkana communities clashed repeatedly in Rumuruti area, Laikipia county over access to pasture early Nov, seven killed 8 Nov. Armed tit-for-tat livestock raids resumed between Pokot and Turkana in Turkana county: in four incidents in Kapelibok and Lomelo areas 23-28 Nov fifteen people including eight children killed.

Attacks by Al-Shabaab jihadists in Mandera town in NE near Somalia border prompted govt curfew, while ethnic violence flared in Rift Valley. Al-Shabaab claimed 6 Oct attack on residential compound in Mandera that killed six non-Somalis and injured three others; suspected Al-Shabaab 17 Oct shot at car of Mandera county governor, injuring one security officer and one passer-by; 25 Oct killed twelve non-Somalis. Govt 27 Oct imposed 60-day curfew in Mandera town. Police in Nairobi 27 Oct shot dead suspected terrorist who assaulted police officer by U.S. embassy. Marakwet and Pokot communities reportedly clashed several times along border of Baringo and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties, at least two killed: Marakwet 12 Oct attacked Pokot herders near Kerio River, killing one and stealing over 170 cattle. Kipsigis (Kalenjin sub-group) and Kisii communities clashed on border of Narok and Kisii counties at Ikorongo area 21 Oct, eight injured. Ethiopian soldiers 16 Oct crossed into Kenya and clashed with Ethiopian Oromo Liberation Front rebels near Sololo, Marsabit county, dozens reportedly killed; same day killed one man and interrogated villagers in Golole. Ethiopian police 21 Oct arrested Kenyan police reservist in Ethiopia, 23-27 Oct detained six Kenyan police after they crossed border to try to secure his release.

Police shot dead three women in Mombasa police station 11 Sept; police claimed women tried to launch terror attack, human rights groups questioned narrative. Large number of Al-Shabaab militants 22 Sept attacked Hamey police post in Garissa county near Somalia border, injuring officers. Tensions rose between Aulihan and Boran clans along border of Isiolo and Garissa counties: alleged Aulihan militia from Somalia 8 Sept killed three people in Garba Tula, Isiolo county; Boran militia 10 Sept raided Tana village, Isiolo county, killing two and wounding two others. Govt 22 Sept held peace meeting with representatives from both communities in Nanyuki. Security forces 24 Sept deployed in Transmara, Narok county after Kisii and Kipsigis (Kalenjin) communities clashed over failed cattle raid.

Al-Shabaab attacks decreased: militants 6 Aug attacked police camp in Basuba, Lamu county, injuring four officers. Anti-terror police 28 Aug arrested two men suspected of links to Islamic State at Malindi, Kilifi county. Clan militias killed four and injured one in two attacks 28 and 29 Aug on border between Eldas and Wajir North constituencies, Wajir county. Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) 3 Aug agreed to resign following months of protests against its perceived pro-govt bias.

Al-Shabaab increased attacks along Somalia border and at coast: suspected militants shot buses near Elwak, Mandera county, killing six people 1 July; attacked vehicle heading from Mandera to Lafey, killing one 9 July; same day overran police station in Wajir near Somalia border, stole guns and ammunition; militants attacked police camp in Mangai, Lamu county 14 July, one militant reportedly killed. Police 21 July shot dead two suspected al-Shabaab militants in Mombasa; army vehicle 26 July detonated IED at Ishakani, Lamu county, several soldiers injured; Al-Shabaab 28 July destroyed communication mast in Fino town, Mandera county. Fighting between ethnic Kipsigis and Maasai over land in Pimpinyet border area in south-western Narok county 14-18 July left two people dead.

Police 6 June fired on opposition supporters protesting in western Nyanza region against Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for alleged pro-govt bias, killing at least two. Al-Shabaab fighters 20 June ambushed police escorting bus in NE Mandera county, killing five police. Al-Shabaab militants clashed with army in coastal Lamu county 29 June, four militants killed, one soldier injured. Police same day shot dead one suspected terrorist, arrested three at house in Malindi, coastal Kilifi county. Four-day clashes late June between two communities living along Kisumu-Nandi county border killed four, displaced more than 2,000.

Opposition protests in Nairobi against Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for alleged pro-govt bias continued from late April and started in Mombasa and several counties: dozens wounded during month in clashes with police, who 23 May reportedly killed at least one protester in Kisumu county and two in Siaya county. Govt 6 May announced plan to close Dadaab refugee camp in NE despite international pressure.

ICC 5 April terminated case against Deputy President William Ruto and former journalist Joshua Arap Sang accused of crimes against humanity in 2007-2008 post-election violence, deciding there was “no case to answer” and citing political interference. Al-Shabaab 10 April attacked police station in Wajir county 3km from Somalia border, injuring three officers. Ethnic Marakwet 14 April killed three Pokot people in Elgeyo-Marakwet county following fighting between the two groups in March. Degodia clan militias 25 April raided Ajuraan clan homestead in Korondile, Wajir county, killed three women and injured three boys. Police in Nairobi 25 April tear-gassed opposition party Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leaders and supporters on way to electoral commission to demand removal of chairman and commissioners.