Country Profile for KENYA

Alert for Kenya

 

Military deployed to quell militia violence - 12 May 2013:

The Kenyan military have been deployed to the north of the country to contain a group of local and foreign militias.  Deputy President William Ruto said violence between the Gare and Degodia clans left four people dead in the town of Rhamu.

Gun attack leaves 10 dead in Garissa - 19 April 2013:

Ten people have been killed in a gun attack at a hotel in the border town of Garissa.  Three gunmen reportedly opened fire on patrons of the Kwa Chege restaurant on Thursday evening before fleeing the scene.

Government deploy armed forces following post-election riots - 31 March 2013:

Kenya has deployed armed forces to the capital, Nairobi, and eastern city of Kisumu in response to post-election rioting.  At least five people were killed in the unrest, including three in Nairobi's Dandora slum, which was sparked when a court upheld Uhuru Kenyatta's election as president.

Odinga files challenge against election result - 17 March 2013:

Raila Odinga has filed a challenge against the results of the recent presidential elections in Kenya.  Mr Odinga has accused the electoral authorities of manipulating the results of the vote, which Uhuru Kenyatta won with 50.07%.

Kenyatta wins presidential election - 09 March 2013:

Uhuru Kenyatta has been declared the winner of Kenya's presidential election after receiving 50.07 percent of the vote, narrowly avoiding a second round.  His closest rival, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, is expected to file a challenge against the result.

Odinga group claims polls rigged - 07 March 2013: 

The running mate of Prime Minister Raila Odinga claims that the ballot count in Kenya's presidential elections have been rigged.  Kalonzo Musyoka said "we have evidence the results we have received have been doctored".  The accusations have been denied by the chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Reports of violence as Kenya heads to the polls - 04 March 2013:

There have been a number of isolated outbreaks of violence in Kenya after the polls opened for the country's landmark presidential elections.  At least 17 people were killed in two separate incidents where police officers were attacked by men with machetes, suspected to be members of the Mombasa Republican Council.

Kenya prepares for presidential elections - 02 March 2013:

The candidates for Kenya's presidential elections are holding their final rallies in Nairobi ahead of Monday's vote.  Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta, the deputy prime minister, are the favourites to succeed incumbent Mwai Kibaki.  More than 1,000 people died in political violence following the last elections in 2007.

Gunmen target mosque in border town - 21 February 2013:

Gunmen have killed seven people at a mosque in the Malleley, close to the Somali border.  Local witnesses said that 10 gunmen began firing indiscriminately as people left the mosque after morning prayers.

Restaurant shooting leaves four dead in Garissa - 17 January 2013:

At least four people have been killed in a shooting in a restaurant in the northern border town of Garissa.  A further six people were wounded in the attack, which is the latest in a series of incidents in the town.

British special constable shot dead in Kenya - 15 January 2013:

A British special constable has been shot dead by bandits in northern Kenya.  Jamal Moghe had been travelling as part of a charity trip when he was killed in close to the Ethiopian border.

Revenge attacks leave 10 dead in Tana River Delta - 10 January 2013:

Suspected revenge attacks have left at least 10 people dead in the Tana River Delta region of Kenya.  The dawn raid on the village of Kibusu came a day after eight people were killed in an attack on the nearby village of Orma.

Eight killed in coastal violence - 09 January 2013:

At least eight people have been killed and several others wounded in tribal clashes in the Tana River region of south-east Kenya.  The fighting between the Pokomo and Orma communities took place in the coastal village of Nduru.  

Eastleigh targeted in grenade attacks - 16 December 2012: 

One person has been wounded in a grenade attack in the Eastleigh neighbourhood of Nairobi.  Three grenades were thrown from a vehicle into the neighbourhood and represents the latest in a series of similar attacks.

Roadside bomb kills one in Eastleigh - 06 December 2012:

At least one person has been killed and eight others wounded after a roadside bomb exploded in the Eastleigh district of Nairobi.  There have been a series of similar blasts in the mainly Somalia neighbourhood since Kenyan troops launched cross-border operations against the al-Shabaab militant group in 2011. 

Civilians shot dead in army crackdown - 20 November 2012:

At least eight people have been shot dead after police clashed with civilians in the town of Garissa.  The unrest comes after three members of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers were killed by unknown gunmen in the town.  Kenyan Defence Minister Mohammed Yusuf Haji said he did not authorise the army action.

Seven killed in Eastleigh grenade attack - 19 November 2012:

At least seven people have been killed after a grenade was thrown into a minibus in the Eastleigh district of Nairobi.  According to the Kenya Red Cross a further 24 people were wounded in the blast.  

Police officers killed in Baragoi ambush - 12 November 2012:

At least 29 police officers have been killed in an ambush by cattle raiders in the town of Baragoi.  The officers were attempting to recover stolen cattle when they were attacked.

Grenade attack on Garissa church kills one - 04 November 2012:

A police officer has been killed in a grenade attack on a church in the northern town of Garissa.  At least 11 other people were wounded in the blast, which is the latest in a series of similar incidents in the town.

Police man killed in Garissa ambush - 31 October 2012:

A Kenyan police officer has been killed in an ambush in north-eastern region of Garissa.  Another officer was wounded in the attack, the latest in a series of incidents near the Somali border.

Police shoot dead Muslim cleric in Mombasa - 28 October 2012:

Kenyan police have shot dead a Muslim cleric with links to the Somali militant group al-Shabaab in the port city of Mombasa.  Police raided the house of Omar Faraj in the Majengo district of the city following a tip-off from a man they arrested on Saturday. 

Police seriously wounded in grenade attack - 17 October 2012:

At least 10 Kenyan police officers have been wounded in a grenade attack in the coastal Likoni region.  Two of the attackers were also killed in the clashes, which comes as the Kenyan police launched a crackdown against members of the Mombasa Republic Council (MRC) in the region.

Blasts wound one in Eastleigh district of capital - 12 October 2012:

Two bombs have exploded in the Eastleigh district of Kenya's capital, Nairob, wounding at least one person.  The blast occurred in a predominantly Somali area of the city.  Last month a similar attack in Eastleigh killed a nine-year old child.

Child killed in Nairobi grenade attack - 30 September 2012:

One child has been killed and three others wounded in a grenade attack on a church in Nairobi.  The victims were attending a Sunday school at the St Polycarp's church by suspected al-Shabaab sympathisers.  Revenge attacks in the predominantly Somali suburb of Eastleigh left at least 13 people injured.

Ethnic clashes leave 12 dead in south-east Kenya - 07 September 2012:

At least 12 people have been killed in further ethnic clashes in south-eastern Kenya.  The fighting between the Orma and Pokomo communities occurred in the Tana River area of Coast Province, where at least 52 people died in violence in August.

Rioting in Mombasa after cleric  killed - 28 August 2012:

Widespread rioting has been reported in the coastal city of Mombasa following the drive-by shooting of a radical Muslim cleric on Monday.  At least one police officer has been killed and more than a dozen others wounded after a grenade was thrown at riot police.

Tribal clashes leave around 50 dead in south-east - 22 August 2012:

Almost 50 people have been killed during tribal clashes in south-eastern Kenya.  Fighting broke out between the Orma and Pokomo groups in the Tana River district of Coast Province.

One killed in Nairobi grenade attack - 04 August 2012:

One person has been killed during a grenade attack in the mostly Somali neighbourhood of Eastleigh in Nairobi.  No group have claimed responsibility for the attack.

Venezuelan envoy found dead in Nairobi - 28 July 2012:

The Venezuelan envoy to Kenya has been found dead at her official residence in Nairobi.  Nairobi's police chief said that Olga Fonseca had been strangled to death.

Foreign aid workers released in Somalia - 02 July 2012:

The four foreign aid workers who were kidnapped from the Dabaab refugee camp in northern Kenya last week have been released.  The group were rescued in southern Somalia in a joint operation by the Kenyan and Somalian army.

Grenade attack kill 15 in Garissa - 01 July 2012:

At least 15 people have been killed in a grenade attack in the northern town of Garissa.  A group of unknown militants targeted a Catholic church in the town, which is located close to the border with Somalia.

Aid workers kidnapped from Dadaab refugee camp - 29 June 2012:

Four foreign aid workers have been kidnapped and a Kenyan driver killed at a the Dadaab refugee camp in northern Kenya.  The aid workers, from Canada, Norway, Pakistan and the Philippines, were working for the Norwegian Refugee Council when they were ambushed by unknown gunmen at the camp.

One killed in Mombasa bar blast - 24 June 2012:

One person has been killed and several others wounded in an explosion at a bar in the port city of Mombasa.  The attack comes a day after the US embassy warned of an 'imminent' threat in the city.

US embassy warns of 'imminent' threat in Mombasa - 23 June 2012:

The US embassy in Kenya has warned of an "imminent" threat in the port city of Mombasa.  The French embassy has also warned its citizens in the city to be extremely vigilant.  Police recently arrested two Iranians over a suspected terror network which was planning attacks in Mombasa and Nairobi.

One killed in Wajir grenade attack - 30 May 2012:

At least one person has been killed after a grenade was thrown through a cafe window in the northern town of Wajir.  Four people were also wounded in the blast, which is believed to have been carried out by al-Shabaab.

Dozens wounded in Nairobi blast - 28 May 2012:

At least 28 people have been wounded by a large explosion in central Nairobi.  The cause of the blast is not yet clear, with police initial blaming an electrical fault before the Kenyan prime minister claimed that the there was a terrorist link.

Church grenade attack leaves one dead in Nairobi - 29 April 2012:

At least one person has been killed and a further 16 wounded after a grenade was thrown into a church in Nairobi.  The incident is believed to have been linked to Kenya's military incursion into Somalia, however, al-Shabaab has not confirmed whether they were behind the attack.

US embassy issues Kenya terrorist warning - 23 April 2012:

The US embassy in Kenya has warned of possible terrorist attacks against its citizens in the country.  In a statement it warned of a potential attack that is in the last stage of planning, and that hotels and government buildings in Nairobi are likely targets. 

British hostage released from Somalia - 21 March 2012:

The British woman kidnapped from northern Kenya has been released after being held for six months in Somalia.  It has been reported that Judith Tebbutt's relatives have paid a ransom for her release.

Grenade attack at Nairobi bus station - 11 March 2012:

At least six people have been killed and more than 60 others injured in a grenade attack at a bus station in Nairobi.  No group have claimed responsibility for the attack, however the Kenyan government has blamed the Somali militant group al-Shabaab.

Kenyan police attacked in Wajir district - 12 January 2012:

Suspected Somali militants have attacked a police base in north-eastern Kenya, killing six people and kidnapping three others.  The raid was carried out in the Wajir district, close to the border with neighbouring Somalia.

Terrorist threat level raised to critical - 07 January 2012:

The British Foreign Office have warned of a critical threat from terrorist attacks in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.  The Kenyan government have increased security in the city while operations against al-Shabaab militants in Somalia are ongoing.

Hand grenade attack kills five - 01 January 2012:

At least five people have been killed following a grenade attack on a bar in the eastern town of Garissa.  The town is situated close to the border with Somalia and an the militant group al-Shabaab are believed to have carried out the attack.

Dadaab explosions kills police officer - 19 December 2011:

A police officer has been killed by an explosion at the Dadaab refugee camp in northern Kenya.  Two other officers were wounded when the vehicle they were travelling in hit a roadside bomb.

Four injured in twin grenade attack - 16 December 2011:

Twin grenade attacks in the northern town of Garissa have injured at least four people.  One explosion was reported in a prison canteen for staff, while the other happened simultaneously at a nearby hotel.

Al-Shabaab attacks injures six - 12 December 2011:

At least six people have been injured following an explosion in the northern town of Wajir.  Earlier a police officer was killed and three others wounded by a grenade attack in the border town of Mandera.

Police officer killed in Dadaab explosion - 06 December 2011:

A Kenyan police officer has been killed after a device exploded in the Dadaab refugee camp.  Three other officers were wounded in the blast, the latest in a string of attacks in the camp since Kenya sent troops across the border into Somalia. 

Grenade attacks leave three dead in eastern Kenya - 24 November 2011:

At least three people have been killed in grenade attacks in the eastern town of Garissa, close to the border with Somalia.  More than 27 people were also injured by the blasts.

Two dead in church grenade attack - 06 November 2011:

At least two people have been killed in a grenade attack on a church in the eastern town of Garissa.  Police said that another device was found near a military base in the town, but it had failed to detonate.

Four dead in Somali border attack - 27 October 2011:

Four people have been killed after militants attacked a civilian lorry in the town of Mandera, situated close the Somali border.  The assailants used RPGs and machine guns to attack the vehicle, which was reportedly carrying school examination papers.

Second grenade attack leaves one man dead - 26 October 2011:

A second grenade attack in less than 24 hours in Nairobi has left one man dead.  The device exploded at the OTC bus terminal in the downtown of the city.  Kenyan police has said that there is no evidence linking the attacks to the Somalian militants al-Shabaab.

Grenade attack on Nairobi nightclub injures 13 - 24 October 2011:

A grenade attack on a nightclub in Kenya's capital Nairobi has wounded 13 people.  No group have taken responsibility for the attack, but the Somali militant group al-Shabaab and strongly suspected of being behind it.

Kenyan offensive makes gains against al-Shabaab - 19 October 2011:

Kenyan troops have captured a key al-Shabaab base and killed around 75 militant fighters as part of the offensive which began on Sunday.  The Kenyan forces, working in co-operation with Somali troops, are currently concentrating their operations in the Afmadow region. 

Kenya sends forces to Somalia - 16 October 2011:

Kenya has launched a military operation in Somalia against al-Shabaab following the high profile kidnappings of four Western nationals.  On Thursday two Spanish aid workers were kidnapped from the Dadaab refugee camp while a British woman and French woman were kidnapped from beach resorts in the north of the country.

Two aid workers kidnapped from Kenyan refugee camp - 13 October 2011:

Two international aid workers for Medecins Sans Frontiers have been kidnapped form the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya by gunmen, suspected to have come from Somalia.  Two Kenyans are also reported to have been abducted in the attack.

French woman kidnapped from northern Kenya - 01 October 2011:

An elderly French woman has been kidnapped by an armed gang from the resort island of Manda in northern Kenya.  The Kenyan tourism minister has said that the boat carrying the attackers and the woman have been surrounded by two boats of the Kenyan coastguard close to the Somali border.  The attack took place close to Lamu island where Judith Tebbutt was kidnapped on 11 September.

Attack on UK tourists leaves one dead - 11 September 2011:

A UK man has been killed and his wife kidnapped by a group of armed men in Kenya.  The couple were staying at the luxury Kiwayu Safari Village, close to Lamu Island, when they were attacked.  No group have yet taken responsibility for the attack.

Horn of Africa drought threatens 10m with famine - 06 July 2011:

The worst drought in 60 years threatens some 10 million people starvation in Ethiopia, Somalia and northern Kenya.  The desperate conditions have forced tens of thousands of people to leave their homes and flee to the world's largest refugee camp in the town of Dadaab in Kenya. 

Clashes on Kenya-Ethiopia border leaves 19 dead - 03 May 2011:

At least 19 people have been killed in tribal clashes along the border between Kenya and Ethiopia.  It is reported that the rival tribes were fighting over grazing land and water access.

Al-Shabaab threatens attacks against Kenya - 27 February 2011:

The Somalian militant Islamic group al-Shabaab has threatened to launch a series of attacks in Kenya unless the authorities there stop training Somali government soldiers.  The spokesman for the group, Sheikh Ali Mohamoud Rage, told a group of reporters in Mogadishu that the Kenyan authorities will be responsible for any terrorist attacks.

Nairobi bus bomb linked to Islamic terrorists - 21 December 2010:

A bomb has detonated on a bus bound for Uganda, leaving three people dead and more than 23 injured.  No group has yet taken responsibility for the attack, however the Somali based al-Shabaab group are believed to be behind it. 

Police officer killed in grenade attack - 06 December 2010:

One police officer has been killed and three others injured in a grenade attack in Kenya's capital, Nairobi.  The perpetrators have been linked to regional Somali-based Islamic militant groups.

Kenya Data Sheet

 

Population: 43.5 million

Major Religion/s: : Christianity, Islam

International dialling code: +254

International dialling prefix: 000

Emergency services: 999

Drives: Left

Voltage: 240V

Climate: Tropical

Other Major Cities: Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru

Borders: Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania

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