The Influence Of The Pokot- Turkana Ethnic Conflict On Socio-Economic Development In The North Rift Region

Abstract

This study focused on assessing the influence of the Pokot-Turkana ethnic conflict on socio-economic Development in the North Rift region. Kapedo area was taken as the case study in this research. The study had set out the following research questions; To what extent has the Pokot-Turkana ethnic Conflict influenced socio-economic development in Kapedo area? To what extent are the response measures towards resolving this inter-ethnic conflict effective? In order to effectively respond to the above questions, this study anchored itself on the following objectives; To assess the extent to which the Pokot-Turkana ethnic Conflict has influenced the socio-economic development of Kapedo area. To assess the extent to which the response measures towards resolving this inter-ethnic conflict are effective. This study was justified at two levels, at the academic level and policy level, This study was guided by Edward Azar’s theory of Protracted Social Conflict(PSC) as it acted as a lens in which various phenomena in relation to conflict were analyzed. The study site was Kapedo area and the research design was the descriptive survey design. The target populations were the residents of Kapedo area. The study adopted purposive sampling technique in selecting its respondents. Data was collected using both the primary as well as the secondary sources. Specifically data was collected using questionnaires. Data was analyzed using the quantitative methods. Concerning to the ethical considerations; the researcher first got the consent of the respondents before interviewing them. This study found out that among the causes of ethnic conflicts in Kapedo area includes scarce resources, cattle rustling, political incitements, high levels of illiteracy and weak security systems. The major implications of these ethnic conflicts on social relations include break-up of marriages, separation of family members from each other, increase ethnic animosity as well as breakup of the social fabric in Kapedo area. The implications on economic development of Kapedo area include; excessive marginalization of Kapedo area from the national government as well as the county governments, scaring away of local and international investors, increase levels of poverty, distortion of the local markets and its logics and finally, increased levels of economic dependency. The study therefore recommended that there should strong partnerships between national government and county governments so that they can jointly dig enough dams, water pans as well as other sources of water to mitigate on the competition for scarce resources, sponsorships of more inter-communal sports competitions, beefing up of the numbers of the security personnel and properly equipping them. Employing the Moran’s from both the communities to protect the wildlife conservancy in Kapedo area. Finally beefing up peace education in Kapedo area.