Protracted Conflict and Livelihood amongst Pastoral Communities in Kenya: Case Of Baringo County,1992-2020
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Date
2023
Authors
Odhiambo, Fredrick Ochieng
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Protracted conflicts amongst Pastoral Communities in Kenya mostly result from
incidents of cattle rustling and banditry. Around the country, it has' shown up in
varied scales and proportions. In this study, three goals were examined: the first
was how competition for limited resources influences persistent conflicts in
Baringo County; the second was how inter-ethnic conflicts influence persistent
conflicts in Baringo County; and the third was how local politics influence
persistent conflicts in Baringo County. The study, which covered the years 1992 to
2020, was conducted fully in Baringo County. The work was guided by the
Protracted Social Theory (PSC) of Edward Azar and the Conflict Theory of Johan
Galtung. Many different research approaches were used in the study. The sample
size was 100 respondents, and both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered.
The study found that protracted disputes in the area are influenced by rivalry over
resources like water, pasture, animal ownership, and access to food and shelter.
The study demonstrated that inter-ethnic conflicts affect protracted conflicts in the
region especially when it develops from marginality, poverty, indigenous
description, and politics. The study found that politics played a significant role in
confrontations in Baringo, particularly when it came to leaders' instigation of
communities. The study also found that cultural characteristics that were being
politicized to intensify the disputes had an impact on the type of politics
surrounding those conflicts. These cultural practices included early marriages,
dowry obligations, youth-adult transition, lost livestock due to sickness or drought,
increased cattle herd size, low education levels, and illegal brews. The study found
that the effects on human security include loss of life or death, property destruction,
cattle loss, disruption of education, increased small arms proliferation,
environmental harm, state insecurity and vulnerability, criminality, insurgency, and
terrorism. The study concluded that some of the causes contributing to the
persistence of cattle rustling and banditry in Baringo are competition over water
and the increase of grazing acreage for pasture. The study indicated that ethnic
friction offers an incentive to communities to participate in cattle rustling in
Baringo County. According to the study's fmdings, local elites' conflicting political
interests significantly contribute to the escalation and maintenance of interethnic
conflict in Baringo County. The study found that prolonged disputes in Baringo
County had a detrimental effect on human security. The study recommended that
there is a need to introduce other economic activities to substitute livestock keeping
in Baringo County. It recommends that inclusivity, cohesion, and cultural tolerance
need to be encouraged among communities in Baringo County. The study also
recommended .that the escalation of political interest during the electioneering
period needs to be monitored to avoid incitement among societies.
Description
A Project Report Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of
Arts in Peace and Conflict Management in the School of
Law, Arts and Social Sciences of Kenyatt~Unlversity_
March 2023
Keywords
Protracted Conflict, Livelihood, Pastoral Communities, Kenya, Baringo County, 1992-2020