Towards Understanding the Gusii-kipsigis Conflict Along Sotik/borabu Border (1992 to 2010)

Abstract

The Gusii and the Kipsigis have been engaged in conflict against each other for a long time. There also exists tangible competition for access to land and contest over administrative boundaries, politics of ethnicity, resource control, and distribution. The general goal of the study was to establish the reasons for the Gusii - Kipsigis conflict along the Sotik/Borabu border (1992 to 2010). The conflict theory and the conflict transformation theory guided the study. The conflict theory posits that human beings are sociable beings but prone to engage in conflict. The conflict transformational theory advocates for not only reestablishing the status quo but also to have a long term impact on the structure, process, and outcome of oriented efforts while emphasizing on social change and justice. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. The study targeted 75 respondents who comprised ward administrators, village elders, and local chiefs from both Nyamira and Bomet Counties. The study collected data using focus group discussions and an interview guide. The data was analyzed based on conceptual content analysis. The results indicated that the traditional practice of cattle raiding was the major contributor to conflict along the Sotik/Borabu border. The findings also revealed that competition for scarce natural resources along the border was a factor propelling conflict along the Sotik-Borabu border. The findings revealed that the impact of the Kipsigis and Gusii conflict along the Sotik/Borabu border included loss of cattle, displacement of people, property destruction, social disorder, and environmental degradation. The study found that the mitigation strategies implemented over the period 1992 to 2010 by the Gusii and Kipsigis communities included livestock branding, peace committees, youth empowerment and employment, involvement of women in peace building, and that of the government and other organizations in peace building. The study recommends that the community members ought to be educated on the importance of peaceful coexistence in the region. Further research can be carried out to explore more about the Gusii and Kipsigis conflict along the Sotik/Borabu border after 2010 with the inauguration of the new Constitution of Kenya.