The Nexus between Socio-Economic Environment and Recurrence of Inter-Ethnic Conflicts In Nyakach and Sigowet Sub-Counties of Western Kenya

Abstract

The recurrence of inter-ethnic conflicts is mainly attributed the socio-economic constraints and deprivations that make disgruntled communities turn against one another in the efforts to get the kind of services they believe that they deserve. This is a common phenomenon globally and also in Kenya. There are a number of social and economic issues surrounding inter-ethnic conflicts in Nyakach and Sigowet Sub-counties of Western Kenya that have made communities get involved in the inter-ethnic conflicts regularly. The study investigated the nexus between the socio-economic environment and recurrence of inter-ethnic conflicts in Nyakach and Sigowet Sub-counties of Western Kenya. The study aim at examining the relationship between the socio-economic environment and the recurrent inter-ethnic conflicts in area of study. The results of the study therefore, show the connection between following socio-economic factors and conflicts; the socio-economic activities, distribution of economic resources and opportunities, Politicization of ethnicity and political exclusion, socio-cultural perceptions and Stereotypes, and the socio-economic drivers of conflicts including poverty, youth unemployment, ethnic mistrust and land and boundary issues.

ICT Enabled Peace Network: Case Study of Conflict Early Warning System in Kenya

“…These strong beliefs passed on from one generation to another through the initiation rites of passage like circumcision are the driving force among the Kalenjin in the fight for land and the increased cattle theft. The culture associated with livestock rustling/theft was common as noted by various scholars (Dutta et al, 2021;Juma & Simiyu, 2019;Juma, Iteyo & Simiyu, 2018& Ochieng, 2017.…”

“…Apart from agriculture, business was an important economic activity in the area. The Sondu market was an important marketplace that connected people from Kericho, Kisumu, and Kisii counties for trade and other businesses (Juma, Iteyo& Simiyu, 2018). There were historical land factors and the Kalenjin claimed that they were displaced by the colonialists who took over their fertile land.…”

“…Most of them were forced to work in the colonial farms while others ran away to look after their animals going as far as Tanzania. The Luo community believed that they are the rightful owners of the land around Muhoroni and Chemelil (Juma, Iteyo& Simiyu, 2018).…”

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

“…Different views have described the academic discussions on the drivers of disputes. The leading viewpoint is the school of thinking of reasonable choice or war economics, which is focused on econometric involvement in the 'greed verses grievance' debate on the origin of conflicts (Juma et al, 2018). In the 1990s, some dispute and spirited debates among scholars were created by the new political economy of confrontation.…”

“…Commercialization is described by Kratli and Swift (2003) as 'an element of the wider integration of pastoralists into a market economy.' Commercialized raiding is encouraged by increased consumer access, increasing meat demand as part of high urban population growth and improved road connectivity hitting pastoral regions (Juma et al, 2018). This method of raiding is carried out with the express purpose of selling cattle for immediate benefit rather than replenishing own herds (Mkutu 2010).…”