Indigenous Mechanisms for Managing Intra–Ethnic Conflict Among the Abakuria, Kenya: A Cure or Recipe to Conflict?

Abstract

Conflict in many parts of the world has become part of people’s life and in most cases leaves a trail of people devastated and in dire need for assistance often leading to man made disasters. In Kenya, conflict is experienced as the various communities or ethnic groups fight for resources, supremacy or due to differing political inclinations. In some instances, the conflict is so intense that property worth millions are destroyed, people killed and thousands displaced. However, of the conflict experienced in Kenya, a peculiar case is that of the Abakuria ethnic group, as intra-ethnic conflict is the order of the day as members of the different clans engage in armed and non-armed fighting. The mechanisms used in managing the conflict have been wanting or inadequate as the conflicts keep recurring. It is on this backdrop that this study aimed at evaluating the Abakuria indigenous mechanisms used in managing intra-ethnic conflict. The study aimed at; evaluating the indigenous institutions used in managing intra-ethnic conflict, analysing the role of the indigenous institutions in conflict management and assessing the role of the institutions in conflict. The study employed descriptive survey, ethnography and explanatory research designs. The target population for the study was 52,338 comprising of members of the indigenous conflict management systems, members of provincial administration, local and international Non-governmental Organizations, Community Based Organizations, Faith Based Organizations, community policing members,members of the peace committees, civic leaders, District security team, warriors and community members/victims to the conflict. From the target population, a sample 638 was drawn using purposive sampling, stratified sampling, transect walk and snow balling techniques. The data were collected using questionnaires, in-depth interviews and focus group discussion. Quantitative data generated from the study were analysed descriptively while qualitative data were analysed following the five steps of thematic data analysis; transcription, open coding, axial coding, selecting codes and formation of themes. The study found out that there were five key institutions of managing conflict between the Abakuria clans, which were Inchama, Avaragoli, Iritongo, Sungusungu and Ihama. These institutions played a role both in managing conflict and instigating conflict. The study recommends that the institutions should be strengthened by the government in order to be more effective.