Turkana-dassanech Relations: Economic Diversification and Inter-communal Conflicts, 1984-2015

Abstract

This study is on Turkana-Dassanech Relations: Economic Diversification and Frequency of Inter-communal Conflict, 1984-2015. The focus is on induced economic diversification and its influence on frequency of inter-communal conflicts between the Turkana and Dassanech communities of north-west Kenya. The study sought to assess four hypotheses, namely; that the Turkana and Dassanech communities have historically been in conflict: there has been a gradual decline in pastoral activities in the study area; that there has been diversification of livelihoods as a response to the continual decline of pastoral yields to bellow subsistence levels; and fourthly, that the adoption of the ‘new’ economies has increased the frequency of conflict in the study area. The study used Eco-scarcity theory in analysing the nexus between supply-induced resource scarcity, economic diversification and frequency of communal conflicts. Thirty five respondents were interviewed in Lodwar, Kalokol and Illeret regions. Focused group discussions were also held in these areas. Documentations from Kenya National Archives and Reports by agencies working in the area played a key role in reconstructing the history of the relations between the Turkana and the Dassanech. The research brought about a number of findings. It revealed that Turkana and Dassanech communities have a long history of conflict that could be traced back to early 20th century. The main cause of the early conflict was the nomadic nature of their pastoral livelihoods which necessitated reliance on climate-sensitive resources like water and pasture, and mobility as a mean for maximising resource exploitation in a region characterised by uneven resource distribution. Scarcities brought about by changes in ecology could, therefore, result in conflict as the communities raided each other to replace stock lost to droughts and diseases. From 1984, however, a combination of factors, including, recurrent droughts, constant cattle rustling, sedentarisation and loss of traditional grazing lands and drought reserves to national projects compelled several pastoralist households to abandon pastoralism or augment it with other livelihoods including agriculture, fishing and trade. 6 The adoption of these livelihoods as adaptive strategies created new areas of competition in the Turkana-Dassanech economic set up. In an area already characterised by dwindling water levels, constant droughts and vicious cycle of cattle raids, the adoption of these activities exacerbated the scarcities as demand for biological assets like arable farmlands and marine resources surpassed the available supply. This compounded by the steady recession of Lake Turkana due to the damming of river Omo have induced new scarcities, and increased competition resulting in a vicious cycle of conflict and violence. The conflicts have rendered the two communities vulnerable and in constant need of humanitarian assistance especially for women and children.