The contribution of resource conflict to food insecurity in the Kerio river basin

Abstract

This study sought to determine the contribution of resource conflict to food insecurity in the region. With Northern Kerio Valley as the study site, Kolowa Ward of Tiaty in Baringo County, Endo Ward of Elgeyo Marakwet County, and Lomut Ward of West Pokot County are considered. The study comprised a target population of 2600 households in the three Wards from which a sample size of 387 was drawn using Yamane (1967) sample size determination formula. Quantitative data was collected through a questionnaire, while secondary and qualitative data was collected through Key Informants Interviews (KIIs) and Focused Group Discussions (FGDs). The study established that the majority of the households representing 60 per cent, had experienced three or more inter-ethnic conflicts in the last five years, with another 60 per cent reporting a severe impact on access to food and livelihoods as a result of the conflicts. The study concluded that inter-ethnic conflicts are one of the major drivers of food insecurity in the Kerio Basin and therefore recommended that there is a need to pay more attention to socioeconomic resilience and transformation in the region. Arguably, measures would be adopted to address the core (fundamental) drivers of the conflicts, namely limited formal and functional education, limited occupations (around agro-pastoralism), severe poverty, and severe cycles of droughts.