Devolved Governance and Inter-ethnic Conflicts in Cosmopolitan Pastoral Counties: Case of Laikipia County, Kenya

Abstract

Laikipia County is one of the cosmopolitan Counties of Kenya. This study examined the dynamics of conflict in the face of devolution within this county. This was done by establishing how devolution had influenced the pastoral conflicts, analyzing inter-ethnic conflicts, trends, and identifying conflict management mechanisms established by the Laikipia County government. The study employed a descriptive research design. Primary data was collected from a sample size of 128throughquestionnaires, interviews, archived documents, and government reports. The secondary data was collected from journals, books, published and unpublished theses. The study analyzed data using descriptive analysis. The data was presented using frequencies, pie charts, graphs, and tables. The study found out that devolution of power was often considered as means of achieving peace through sharing executive positions, political nomination, and election of members of county assembly as part of a wider mosaic of peace-building in Laikipia. It was reported that violence rocked Laikipia in the months of January-March and September-October where pastoralist communities clashed with farming communities. The study found out that the direct result of the inter-ethnic conflict was a loss of human life and livestock. Although police operations had been carried out in Laikipia County, a long-lasting solution for inter-ethnic conflict could not be obtained since violent conflict continued to occur. After disarmament as one of the solutions, other means were suggested including demobilization, reinsertion, rehabilitation, reintegration, and empowerment and education were exploited to deter disarmed warriors from relapsing to banditry.Devolution through its mitigation measures has significantly reduced the inter-ethnic conflict. The study was of great importance to policy makers at county nd national government as it would be used to design inter-ethnic conflict resolution mechanisms.