This article has been taken from Menas Associates’ fortnightly publication, East Africa Politics & Security.

The Kenya Red Cross Society has suspended operations in western Kenya’s Baringo County following the 24 February seizure of over 80 tonnes of grain destined for neighbouring Turkana County. The theft took place in Baringo County while the cargo was in transit.

Baringo County has incurred conflict between the Tugen — who are a sub-group of the Kalenjin community — and Pokot peoples in what over recent years has become a proxy conflict between the United Republican Party (URP) and the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU). The opposition’s main gambit in the upcoming elections is to split the Kalenjin vote to prevent President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto from winning a second term.

In the incident, Pokot youth suspected that the aid shipment was destined for displaced Tugen. Hundreds are living in displaced persons’ camps in Baringo because of a conflict that has been running for at least four years.

The political aspects of the conflict are no secret. William Kamket — the Speaker of the National Assembly — was arrested in 2014 and charged with instigating the killing of 20 policemen that year, but he was later acquitted. His is the only leadership position occupied by KANU that is supported by the Pokot community.

In the week up to 24 February, there were at least 16 incidents in the troubled Kerio Valley, which extends across both Baringo and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties, with at least ten deaths in that short period. The vote splitting exercise has proven both relentless and bloody.