Abstract:
Conflict in many parts of the world has become part of people’s life
resulting massive deaths and trail of destruction to property leading to
manmade disasters. In Kenya, conflict is experienced as warring groups
engage in armed and non-armed conflicts. In most instances, the conflict is
so intense that property are destroyed, people killed while others are
displaced. However, of the conflict experienced in Kenya, a peculiar case is
that of the Abakuria ethnic group, as inter-clan conflicts have become
perpetual. 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 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 thus the beauty and instigating
conflict thus the beast in the institutions. The study recommends that the
institutions should be strengthened by the government in order to be more
effective.
