The Dynamics of Intermittent Escalation of Conflict Among Nilotic Pastoralists of Northern Kenya, 1990 - 2017

Abstract

In the study, conflict is a serious protracted disagreement among the Turkana, Pokot and the Samburu communities brought about by cattle raids, historical difference and the existence of incongruent interests and is characterized by intermittent violent confrontations. The three Nilotic Pastoralist communities of Northern Kenya have had a long history of conflict facilitated by the young men called Morans. The long-standing conflict between these pastoralist communities have been characterized by cattle rustling, destruction of property, displacement and sporadic killings. Various factors combined to promote a vicious circle of recurring escalation of conflict among the Nilotic pastoralist living in Northern Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to explain the internal and external triggers that account for the periodic escalation of conflict among the Nilotic Pastoralists of Northern Kenya, between 1990 and 2017. Conflict escalation is observed when there is increased frequency of attacks, high fatality rates, widespread destruction of properties and indiscrimination killings of women, elderly and children. The study was based on Protracted Social Conflict (PSC) Theory which was significant to the study as it uncovers how groups are denied fulfillment of their fundamental needs based on the common personality. The hardship is mind boggling from variables, for example, the state and different linkages including frontier inheritances, multi-shared nature and recorded local settings. The study used a descriptive research design because of its capacity to fuse both quantitative and qualitative data in the study. The fundamental concern in descriptive research was to highlight the conditions, practices, structures, differences or relationships evident in the study. Consequently it enabled the study to take a multifaceted approach towards data collection to capture and give a detailed description of the factors contributing to the escalation of conflict in Northern Kenya. The population of the study was persons aged 18 years and above which was estimated at 164,825 people. The study however sampled 399 respondents from the three Nilotic Pastoralist Communities. The study conducted expert interviews from each of the identified counties in the region. These personalities included: security experts, elected leaders, Morans, county officials local traditional elders, representatives of women groups and CBOs (specifically Oxfam, World Vision and the Peace Caravan). The study used both primary and secondary data collection methods through surveys and interviews. Surveys helped to capture a large percentage of xiv the targeted group while interviews helped capture the points of view of specific groups in various communities. Collected data was analyzed by use of both qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative data analysis began with note writing and used content analysis of all qualitative secondary sources with a focus on the issues most salient to the study questions. From the findings, the culture through elders, had suitable ways of precipitating cattle raiding and limiting the number of young men ready to engage in these raids. The study further revealed how taming of the youths in age sets developed them into Morans; a group of budding youth who correctly and adequately guided on their current and future roles; and keep vigil against cattle raiders and wild animals preying on their cattle. Consequently, the study revealed that pastoralists must initiate a number of coping mechanisms in regard to conflicts such as raiding. On the other hand, political uncertainty in the Horn of Africa region led to the militarization of citizen population through a number of mechanisms. The study established that militarization of civilians in Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Uganda and Eritrea due to their rivalry led to the attainment of small arms and light weapons amongst the Turkana, Samburu and the Pokot. The study further established that loss of life and property made the pastoralists to hope for help from former President Moi after assumption of power in 1978; regarding monetary and political allotment from the new government. These elevated requirements were never acknowledged to a substantial degree, in any case. In the outcome, new types of banditry and cattle raiding increased in Northern Kenya. The nature of Africa’s borders and the relative ease of concealing small arms made it difficult to control the movement of weapons, which have been found to destabilize regions, and facilitate violent crime. As such, poor population has been mostly undermined, hence leading to ineffective sustainable development in Northern Kenya. Notably, internal conflict triggers are the main cause of conflict among the Nilotic Pastoralist in Northern Kenya. These internal conflict triggers are hot buttons that have their origin within the three Nilotic Pastoralist communities of Sambaru, Pokot and Turkana. The study has shown that these internal conflict triggers, are advent of multi- partism in Kenya in the early 1990s, political entrepreneurs and Kenya police reservist. External conflict triggers are events, processes, individuals and actions that originates from outside the three communities. These triggers are instability in the Hon of Africa – regimes, economic entrepreneurs and modern technology. Moranism has been the epi-

center of these conflicts as both internal and external triggers manifest around these young men. Ethnic conflicts in Northern Kenya have become more frequent in the recent past, going beyond the five-year electoral cycle and outside the pastoral communities. The study shows that the proliferation of small arms has spread to the urban centers. These guns have also found way into the hands of youth from non-pastoral community who are using them for robberies and other criminal activities in the urban centers. These young men have terrorized residents in urban centers deteriorating the well being of the urban dwellers. In the recent past, urban dwellers are spending more resources and time in trying to curb or manage complex security situation rather than investing them in resourceful initiatives.Therefore, the study recommends that all ethnic groups in Kenya should co-exist peacefully regardless of the differences in the cultural believes and ways of livelihood. The government through the judiciary to prosecute and bring to justice politicians, tribal leaders or other persons found to be inciting different ethnic community members over others for leadership and political gains. Scholars who may be interested in pursuing research in conflict among pastoralists are encouraged to focus on internal and external triggers of conflict while paying more attention to the role of Moranism in conflict perpetuation among the pastoralist communities in Northern Kenya. Similarly, diversification of livelihood for Morans is highly recommended to avoid idleness and culture of cattle raiding which contributes immensely towards the precipitation of the menace discussed under this study......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................