The Socio-Economic Environment among Pastoral Communities in West Pokot and Turkana Counties in Kenya

Abstract

There are conflicts in many pastoral communities around the globe, while the Sahel region and EastoAfrica demonstrate sustained levels of inter-pastoral violent conflicts with associated potential impacts on their livelihoods. Turkana-Pokot Violence across borders, conflict is now the norm. A number of efforts have been made by various bodies to bring peace to the region. Despite the Kenya Police Reservists' disarmament and arming communities, peace building meetings, prosecuting perpetrators, declaring illicit firearms surrender amnesties, and setting up peace committees continue to prevail in the region, insecurity and violent conflict. This study was primarily utilized the Protracted Social Conflicts (PSC) theory of Edward Azar. The study adopted descriptive research design. The study was conducted in Turkana and West Pokot Counties of Kenya. A total of 434 respondents were targeted in Pokot North and Turkana South. The sample size of 130 respondents was selected from each of the two Sub Counties. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules, and document analysis and focus group discussions. Pilot study was conducted in Wajir County to establish reliability and validity of research instruments using content analysis and Cronbach alpha respectively. Quantitative data was analyzed using the SPSS to obtain descriptive statistics and chi-square. Qualitative data was analyzed by use of themes and presented in narrative form. Quantitative data was presented in form of tables, charts and graphs. Qualitative data was presented in form of narratives and verbatim quotations. The findings of the study revealed that, the proximity of Turkana County to three international borders, namely; Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia had contributed to the proliferation of small arms through the porous borders that are not governed by the respective governments. This contributed to the availability and cheapness of small arms in Turkana County as a whole, hence the sustenance of the conflict between the two communities. Therefore, this theoretical framework was useful in anchoring the study. The study findings therefore suggested that politics, governance, peace building strategies, commercialization of raided animals and proliferation of small arms are the sustainers of conflict among the pastoral communities of Turkana and West Pokot Counties of Kenya. The next chapter presents the effectiveness of the existing conflict management system towards the conflict between the Turkana and Pokot communities.