Cross Border Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Peace in Eastern Africa Region: a Case Study of Kenya

Abstract

Africa is well gifted with plenty of natural resources but still remains the world’s poorest inhabited area that usually relies on foreign relief in augmenting support for its insecure populations. The dire underdevelopment situation in Africa is influenced by many factors among them population growth with growing dependency and pressure on the continent’s resources, frequent resource related conflicts and escalated crisis of governance evidenced by generally weak processes and institutions. The resources are indispensable and their management should focus on the kind of life best desired for populations now and tomorrow. Countries sharing resources do not necessarily have to be neighbors as international boundaries cut across ecosystems with serious management implications. Border conflicts more often bear a natural resource dimension characterized by competition over the ever-dwindling resource base. Due to persistent conflicts coupled with insufficient targeted research, this study tests hypotheses linking cross border natural resource management arrangements and sustainable peace. The study examines whether cross border natural resource management would impact sustainable peace in eastern Africa region, with focus on Kenya. In doing so, the study examines the role of cross border natural resource management in fostering sustainable peace, evaluates current state and existing frameworks for resource management towards sustainable peace, assesses role and responsibilities of actors in resource management in support of sustainable peace and finally; analyzes impact of cross border natural resource management on sustainable peace in eastern Africa region. Study findings consolidate valid knowledge towards the realization of durable peace through sustainable exploitation and management of shared resources between Kenya and its neighbours. The generated knowledge aims at averting conflict resulting from increased resource demands, degradation, scarcities, structural inequalities and subsequent competition. Ensuing overall peace provides an enabling environment for unlocking more opportunities and synergies towards greater eastern Africa regional development. The study uses the resource scarcity perspective also known as the neo-Malthusian view with other related bases to link philosophical foundations to review and empirical data in explaining the phenomenon being studied and thereby completing and validating the investigations. The study builds on earlier relevant studies and other works and further provides information that is specific to Kenya and the region’s needs. The study adopts a descriptive approach as data is mainly obtained through key informant interviews and questionnaires. A sample population of 385 individuals drawn from stipulated categories of the target population is engaged and collected data analyzed through quantitative and qualitative approaches in describing attributes of the variables under investigation. The findings of the study show weak compliance and enforcement of regulations, dissimilar management practices across borders, weak political and technical institutional linkages, inadequate financing of programmes, over-dependency on natural resources and non-holistic approaches as the main factors to blame for the diminishing resource base amid population growth, resource competition and conflicts. The findings also show that well managed resources will guarantee support for subsistence and economic wellness and further help avert competition and disagreements. Thus, the study postulates that it is essential to ensure balance between environmental conservation and the insatiable need for survival and economic progress in order to guarantee posterity and a peaceful eastern Africa region. Future studies should exhaustively explore other initiatives other than cross border resource management, with the potential to collectively spur sustainable peace and development within the region.