Police intervention strategies and management of land-related conflicts in Kilifi County, Kenya
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Date
2025-06
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
This study aimed to assess police intervention strategies and their influence in addressing landrelated conflicts in Kilifi County, Kenya. Kilifi has long experienced persistent land disputes, largely driven by historical land injustices, weak governance, and socio-economic vulnerabilities, making it a compelling context for examining the intersection of crime prevention, conflict resolution, and community engagement. The study was guided by five objectives: to examine the causes of land-related conflicts; the role of police-led mediation; the effectiveness of enforcement strategies; the impact of public awareness; and the role of intelligence collection in the management of land disputes. A cross-sectional survey design and a mixed-methods approach were employed. Quantitative data were collected from 118 purposively selected respondents including police officers, local officials, and community representatives—through structured questionnaires. Qualitative data were obtained through interviews with chiefs, religious leaders, victims, and suspected perpetrators of land-related conflicts. Data were analyzed thematically and descriptively. Findings show that historical land injustices, poverty, political incitement, and weak land governance are key drivers of conflict in Kilifi. On police-led mediation, the study found it to be a practical and widely relied-on strategy, especially in cases falling outside police jurisdiction. Mediation was seen as useful due to its accessibility, lower cost compared to legal proceedings, ability to de-escalate tensions quickly, and acceptance by community members when facilitated through local leadership. Enforcement strategies—including arrests, eviction warrants, and criminal investigations—played a critical role in containing conflicts, although hindered by legal and political challenges. Public awareness campaignns helped reduce conflicts by educating communities on legal rights and procedures. Intelligence gathering was found to be crucial for identifying organized land crime and preventing escalations. The study concludes that police interventions are essential in managing land-related conflicts in Kilifi County, but their effectiveness is limited by systemic and resource-related constraints. A holistic strategy that strengthens informal mediation, boosts legal awareness, enhances intelligence capacities, and aligns enforcement with local realities is necessary for sustainable conflict resolution.
Description
A research project submitted to the school of security,diplomacy and peace studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Arts (Security Management and Police Studies) of Kenyatta University
June 2025
Supervisor:
Phelista M. Musili,