| dc.description.abstract | This study investigated the factors that influence sustainable conflict resolution and transformation responses to pastoralists’ conflict in Marsabit County in Northern Kenya. The study was guided by the following research objectives: to establish the role of the government in achieving sustainable conflict resolution among the pastoralists communities in Marsabit County; to examine social-cultural factors that affect sustainable conflict resolution among pastoralist communities in Marsabit County; to explore local communities initiatives in sustainable conflict resolution among the pastoralists communities in Marsabit County and; to examine economic factors that affect sustainable conflict resolution among pastoralist communities in Marsabit County. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The total population of Marsabit County is 310,500, while the target population selected for sampling was 100,043 people from the three communities in the county and including community, government and civil society leaders. The study sample size was 143 respondents. The study used stratified sampling and purposive sampling techniques to come up with the sample size. The study used questionnaires, interview guides, archival and secondary literature on conflict resolution for data collection. The research data was analysed using descriptive statistics for quantitative data and content analysis for qualitative data. The researcher established that the major drivers of conflict in Marsabit County are scarcity of natural resources, competition over grazing lands and water points and the presence of small arms in the hands of civilians. Resource scarcity makes the locals to compete over the scant resources available like grazing lands and water points. The national government has been engaged in various initiatives aimed at realizing sustainable conflict resolution among the pastoralist communities in Marsabit County. One such activity is the disarmament of locals and which is believed to have contributed to the reduction in cattle raiding in the area. Social-cultural factors also affect sustainable conflict resolution among pastoralist communities in Marsabit County. Promotion of inter-marriages among the communities in the county can contribute to sustainable conflict resolution and lasting peace in the area. Local community initiatives are important in the search for sustainable conflict resolution among the pastoralist communities in Marsabit County. Such local initiatives may include peace initiatives organized on the ground by the peace committees and local community-based organizations. Based on the research findings the following recommendations are put forward that will facilitate the attainment of sustainable conflict resolution in Marsabit County: involvement of all stakeholders in conflict resolution initiatives/programs in Marsabit County is called for; adequate funding of all county resolution actors by the government and donor community; focus on local initiatives towards conflict resolution. This is because the residents know the area well and understand the conflicts better than outsiders and; initiatives for ending conflicts should not just focus on ending conflicts but emphasis on sustainability in conflict resolution programs should be the guiding factor when designing conflict resolution programmes. | en_US |
