Pro-Government Militias

Chinkororo (Kenya)

Basic Group Information

Name assigned by coder:	no
PGM ID Number:	412
Country:	Kenya
Date formed:	Jan. 2, 2001
Accuracy of date formed:	year
Details of Formation:	The group already existed as an armed group in 1997. Prior to becoming a pro-government militia in 2001, they defended their community in Kisii. In 2001, they were first mentioned to be financially supported by MPs. The group collaborated with a paramilitary wing of the police (General Service Unit) to harass opposition supporters.
Date dissolved:	March 8, 2002
Accuracy of date dissolved:	day
Details of Termination:	The government outlawed the Chinkororo in March 2002, together with 17 other groups. The group does not become a rebel group but continues to exist as an illicit vigilante group.
Termination Type(s):	government defects

Former and Successor Group Information

Predecessor group(s):	none
Successor group(s):	none
Private Military Company?	no
Former Group?	yes
Former Armed Group?	yes
Former Rebel Group?	no
Former Rebel Group UCDP ID:	none
PGM Becomes Rebel Group?	no
Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID:	none

Government Relation, Support, and Training

Government Relation:	informal (type 1)
Created by the Government?:	no
Main Creating Government Institution:	none
Government Link(s):	political party
If link to party, name of party:	KANU (Kenyan African National Union)
Training and Equipment:	no
Shared Information and Joint Operations:	yes
Shared Personnel:	yes
Type(s) of Material Support:	no information
State Sponsor(s):	none
Other Connection(s):

Group Characteristics

Membership:	ethnic; adolescents
Primary Membership:	ethnic
Alternative Primary Membership:	no information
Location:	Kisii district
Force Strength:	[unknown, unknown]
Target(s):	unarmed political opposition, government critics
Purpose(s):	self-defense and security; intimidate political opposition

Ethnic Characteristics

Ethnic Target(s):	none
Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting:	not applicable
Ethnic Membership:	Kisii (Kenya)
Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership:	given
Ethnic Purpose:	none
Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose:	not applicable

Other Information

Other Information:

In 2001, the group received money from an MP. However, it remains unclear whether members are regularly paid by the government.

New Variables from Meta-Analysis

Purpose

Purpose:	Chinkororo was deployed by the government in order to intimidate opposition supporters.
Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use	deniability of violence

Treatment of Civilians

Treatment of Civilians:	Many locals viewed them as defending the interests of the community.
Type(s) of Violence against Civilians:	unknown

Reasons for Membership

PGM Members Coerced?	no information
PGM Members Paid?	unclear
Reasons for Membership:	Chinkororo mainly comprises members of the ethnic Kisii group.
PGM Members Killed?	no information

PGM Size

Size:

no information

Weapons and Training

Weapons and Training:

The group is armed with homemade bows and arrows.

Organisation

Organisation: