Community interventions on inter-ethnic conflicts in Kenya: a case of Endo ward in Elgeyo Marakwet County

Abstract

Conflict is a common occurrence among many ethnic communities in Kenya. However, it is widespread among the pastoralist communities around livestock and associated productive assets such as water, land and pasture. Conflict threatens human survival and disrupts social, cultural, economic and political systems which impede development and effective exploitation and utilization of resources. Endo Ward in Elgeyo Marakwet County experiences recurrent episodes of violent conflict involving Pokot and Marakwet ethnic communities. The occurrences are fatal attributed to the use of guns and ammunition and commercialization of cattle raids. While the conflict has been historical and recurrent in nature, there is human activity and settlement in the affected areas. The purpose of the study was to establish community interventions on inter-ethnic conflict and sought to achieve specific objectives namely: to investigate the effects of inter-ethnic conflict on the livelihoods of the community in Endo Ward; to examine the endogenous intervention strategies adopted by the community to cope with inter-ethnic conflicts; to establish the nature of intervention mechanism employed by state institutions to support community’s response to inter- ethnic conflict; and to examine interventions employed by non-state institutions in response to inter-ethnic conflict. The study used descriptive survey and simple random sampling techniques having a sample of 197 out of a target population of 10,515 from five locations in Endo Ward. Data was collected using interviews and questionnaires. Data from interviews was analyzed using qualitative techniques while that from questionnaire was analyzed using quantitative techniques and presented in frequency tables and charts with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software Version 20. The study findings showed that conflicts disrupted livelihoods of community in Endo Ward due to closure of markets, discontinuation of agricultural extension services and destruction of infrastructure attributed to insecurity and displacement of workers. However, the endogenous strategies played a key role conflict preventions and resolutions, and security of socio-economic resources and assets. This was complemented by interventions from state and non-state institutions. State institutions provided security, rehabilitated infrastructure, facilitated opening of markets, improved livestock and crop production and formed peace committee’s structure within its security system so as to give legitimacy and power to manage conflicts as they arise. The non-state institutions on the other hand, provided humanitarian assistance, psycho-social support to survivors of conflict, and build capacity of peace structure through training and dialogues that culminated in a peace agreement led by council of elders and government’s security agents. The study showed that state and non-state institutions worked in collaboration with community in managing the effects of inter-ethnic conflicts and employed complementary strategies. The findings of the study contribute valuable knowledge to conflict transformation and livelihoods development in general; and provide lessons for post-conflict reconstruction and effective coping mechanisms to inter- ethnic conflicts.