There are definitely ethnic tensions on the ground. Predominantly caused by the growth and expansion of the Kikuyu away from their traditional tribal areas, including their move to areas of East Kenya. This move is perceived within Kenya as partly driven by a desire to load constituencies in favour of Kenyatta for the next election.
Governor Timamy of Lamu County who was arrested in relation to the attacks is an ethnic Bajuni and the BBC report (below) gives some good background. My sources concur with:
"Most of the people killed in the attacks were ethnic Kikuyus. Mr Timamy is an ethnic Bajuni, an indigenous group from Lamu County. Many of the native communities have had long-standing differences with members of the Kikuyu community, who they say came to the area and "took over their land"."
BBC World Kenya Attacks Report
The current spat with the UK over military training in Kenya is also seen as being closely linked to Kenyatta protecting his Kikuyu constituency and their links with the Khat trade.
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