The Role of Devolution in the Resolution of Intercommunal Conflicts in Kenya: the Case of Meruborana Conflict in Isiolo County 2012-2017
Abstract
This study focused on the role of devolution in resolution of intercommunal conflicts
between the Meru and Borana communities within Isiolo county. This conflict has been
blamed on political competition, fight for resources, marginalization among other factors.
All these negative factors have been attributed to years of poor accountability and
transparency, unequal distribution of resources and low levels of community participation
in development. The centralized system was characterized by the above factors and
therefore devolution was adopted with the aim of improving governance and pacifying
these factors that were responsible for conflict. Among the objects of devolution outlined
in the Kenyan Constitution are the recognition of rights and interests of minorities,
increased public participation and political representation. Therefore, it is envisioned that
by operationalizing devolution, the above objects will lead to accountability, effectiveness,
efficiency and recognition of diversity hence reduced conflicts. The study therefore
focused on the above three mentioned objects of devolution and examined how they link
to conflict resolution. The study covered four areas within Isiolo Town that are dominated
mostly by the Meru and Borana. The research design adopted was longitudinal and it took
a qualitative approach in data collection where interview guides were used to get data from
key informants and locals. The key informants were purposively selected while stratified
sampling was used to select the locals. The findings of the study were that the rights and
interests of minorities are progressively being recognized but it is yet to meet the threshold
that would reduce conflict. Secondly, that public participation is advanced but the
minorities within the county are still facing some level of isolation and that political
representation has improved but the majority carry the day. The study concludes that
devolution has helped in curbing intercommunal conflicts between the Meru and Borana
but it is still early to judge its success or failure. This study made several recommendations
including rolling out of platforms and opportunities for citizen participation, civic
education and information to sensitize citizens. Other conflict resolution mechanisms can
also be combined with the efforts of devolution to realize an overall success in curbing
such intercommunal conflicts.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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