Assessing the Influence of Development Activities on Kipsigis-luo Border Conflicts at Sondu, 1999-2016

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of development activities on Kipsigis-Luo border conflicts at Sondu. Based on oral interviews and supplemented with secondary sources, the study established that conflict in Sondu has both traditional and modern-day causes which are mostly development-related. The study further reveals that the influence of development activities on relations in the area takes two dimensions; positive resulting into cooperation and negative resulting into conflictual relations. To resolve the conflict, several strategies such as local peace initiatives spearheaded by elders from the two communities and community policing activities have been adopted over time. The interventions by non-governmental organization and state apparatus have been in place though not all have succeeded in solving the nexus between development activities and conflictual relations along Sondu common border line.