PLAYING WITH FIRE

Weapons Proliferation, Political Violence, and Human Rights in Kenya

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Small Arms Proliferation in Kenya
Violence for Political Ends: The Coast
Echoes of Rwanda
A Time of Transition
A Note on Methodology

II. KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

III. WEAPONS INFLOWS AND THE IMPACT OF REGIONAL CONFLICT 
External Weapons Sources and the Spillover Effect of Regional Conflict
Weapons Movements in Kenya
Blaming Refugees
The Domestic Impact
    Generalized Insecurity
    The Government's Failure to Provide Security
    The Militarization of Society
    Government Efforts to Combat Small Arms Proliferation

IV. VIOLENCE AS A POLITICAL TOOL IN KENYA
The Politics of Division and Politically Motivated "Ethnic Clashes"
Organized Political Attacks

V. CASE STUDY: ARMED POLITICAL VIOLENCE ON THE COAST
Echoes of Rwanda
Origins of the 1997 Violence: The Manipulation of Volatile Local Conditions
Orchestration of the Violence
     KANU Allies Recruit Raiders "for a Political Mission"
     Oathing: Using Tradition to Organize Political Violence
     Command Structure, Discipline, and Order
     The Participation of "Outsiders"
     The Raider's Arsenal
     Training
The Raiders Strike
     The Likoni Attack
     The Raiders Regroup
     The Raids Continue
Response of the Security Forces: Complicity or Incompetence? 
     Turning a Blind Eye
     Inaction Against Perpetrators
     Lack of Protection for the Victims
     Torture and Ill-Treatment
KANU's Political Maneuvers Aid the Raiders
     Indications of Early KANU Support
     KANU Politicians Seek Halt to Security Operations 
     Political Interference in Police Investigations 
     KANU Campaigns with the Raiders' Spiritual Leader
     Politicians Assist the Raiders During the Ongoing Clashes
     The Electoral Pay-off for KANU
The Aftermath at the Coast: Failed Justice, Enduring Resentment 
     Failed Justice
          The Police Investigation
     The Trials
          The Akiwumi Commission: Dashed Hopes
Enduring Resentment

VI. OUTLOOK FOR THE FUTURE
A Time of Transition
Guns at the Ready

VII. KENYA AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

VIII. CONCLUSION

IX. FULL RECOMMENDATIONS
To the Government of Kenya
To the Governments of East Africa
To International Donors and the International Community