Influence of Utilization of Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms by Leaders on Sustainable Conflict Resolution in Bungoma County, Kenya

doi:10.7176/ppar/11-6-06

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of utilization of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms by leaders on sustainable conflict resolution in Bungoma county, Kenya. The study focused on identifying the various types of conflicts in Lwandanyi,Webuye and Cheptais Sub-Counties and the factors influencing the adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms with specific focus on mediation. The study explored the place of ADR in conflict resolution and the extent to which ADR is utilized by leaders. The sample size was comprised of grass root leaders. Simple random sampling and stratified random sampling methods were used to pick the required sample size for the study from the targeted population. The required data was collected using questionaires and interview schedules. The study found that leaders in Bungoma County appreciate and make use of ADR mechanisms in conflict resolution. Mediation mechanism was commonly cited as being used by leaders in addressing various forms of conflict. The study also found that land disputes are the commonest of all conflicts. This was attributed to historical land injustices especially in Mt. Elgon region where politicization of land allocations in the former white settler farms has led to long standing conflict between the Bukusu and the Sabaot communities. The study also revealed that most land disputes were arising due to lack of land ownership documents and rampant corruption at the lands’ ministry was blamed for this state of affairs. Based on the study findings, it was recommended that the National and County governments take decisive action to address the land grievances of the Sabaot community to stop the inter clan fighting and leaders be trained and equipped with skills and competencies necessary for conflict resolution. Keywords: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Leaders, Sustainable Conflict Resolution DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/11-6-06 Publication date: July 31 st 2021

Highlights

The modern world is a world full of chances and options for people
1.9 Findings Research findings are presented . 1.9.1 Questionnaire return rate Out of 90 questionaires administered to 90 leaders in three sub counties of the larger Bungoma County,85 were returned making questionaire return rate to be 94%. 1.9.2 Demographic information of the respondents This study sought information from male and female leaders of diverse age groups
This study indicates that literacy levels among leaders in Bungoma County is high with 47.8% of the sampled leaders having attained secondary education,36.7% had gone through tertiary institutions while holders of university degrees stood at 11.1%

Summary

Introduction

The modern world is a world full of chances and options for people. Never before in history so many choices could and had to be made by the individual. The modern world is a world of competing interests, ideas, values, views, ideologies, religions and cultures, a world full of conflicting interests on all levels, between individuals and groups of people within their societies, between all sectors of societies as well as between economies, nations, states and so forth. According to conflict theorists (Fisher, 2000) there are several sources of disputes including economic, value and power. Value disputes involve incompatibility in ways of life, ideologies the preferences, principles and practices that people believe in. Power dispute occurs when each party wishes to maintain or maximize the amount of influence that it exerts in the relationship and the social setting. Power conflict occurs between individuals, groups or nations

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