| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study is to investigate the conflict dynamics in Northern Kenya.
The dynamics of conflict in Northern Kenya is probably the most spectacular one in
the history of conflict in Kenya since the colonial period. The historical neglect
coupled with marginalization and harsh environmental conditions has rendered
Northern Kenya to be one of the neediest regions in Kenya. While looking at the
bigger picture of Northern Kenya, this study specifically focuses on Marsabit County
for the period between 1994 to 2012 by examining the dynamics of ethnic conflict,
resource based conflict, marginalization and the cross-border influence. The lack of
enough resources for livelihood intertwined with tribal rivalry has been evidenced as
perpetuating conflict in Marsabit County. This conflict is accompanied by political
instigation of local people where community groups have been living in animosity
because of conflict of interest and ownership. The main aim of this study is to
understand that ethnicity may not be the only cause of conflict and that there is more
to resource-based conflict, cross border factors and marginalization as the underlying
issues in conflict. Based on the research questions, the study uses both primary and
secondary data in obtaining information. In terms of primary data, a structured
questionnaire, and interviews were administered while in secondary data archival
information from related literatures was used. The study further informs that scarce
water resource, and pasture land are the key elements of conflict in the resource based
conflict. Moreover, tribal rivalry, politics, conflict of interest and ownership are found
to have contributed to the precipitation of ethnic conflict in Marsabit. This research
aims at establishing the different conflict dynamics in the Marsabit County and why
those dynamics continue to occur. Emphasis is placed on the significance of
understanding the nature of conflict from four major perspectives such as tribalism,
resource based conflict, cross border factors and marginalization of environment in
the largely pastoral community of Northern Kenya. Other complexities such as poor
leadership, high way banditry, cattle rustling, and smuggling of illicit firearms are
found to be the elements within the problem of marginalization. The research
proposes feasible recommendations by borrowing from Paul Lederach’s model of
conflict transformation as a way of managing the ethnic conflict. The research further
gives recommendation based on all elements of conflict and how they can well be
dealt with. | en |
