The Role of Non-state Actors in Resolving Environmental Conflicts in the Horn of Africa: a Case Study of Olposmoru Forest in the Mau Complex Kenya

Abstract

This study is set to establish the role of non-state actors in resolving environmental conflicts in the horn of Africa and specifically Olposmoru area of the Mau complex. It is anchored on three objectives; to establish the role of non-state actors in resolving environmental conflicts in the Horn of Africa, to establish whether they have been useful in resolving environmental conflicts in Olposmoru area of the Mau forest, and lastly to establish the major challenges faced by non-state actors in reducing conflict in Olposmoru forest in the Mau complex, Kenya. This research aligns to Paul collier and Hoeffler greed and grievance theory, it tries to analyze the relationship between greed and grievance and the outbreak of violent conflict between the communities living in the area. It argues that conflicts reflect elite competition over valuable natural resource. This is well depicted by what is happening in Olposmoru where communities are led by greed to fight over resources. There are three different communities in this area; farmers, pastoralists and forest dwellers (ogiek). This research targeted a sample population of forty interviewees drawn from different non-governmental organizations that have projects in the Mau complex. Both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were used to analyze the research objectives. The findings point out that subsequent pressures to the environment caused by human activities on natural resources have contributed to serious conflicts. There has been need for government to collaborate with non-state actors in order to resolve the conflicts arising out of the shared natural resource. Data collected indicate that destruction of the Mau forest has been engineered by several factors including the exploitation of loopholes in policies and legislations. It also indicates that conservation of the Mau complex has attracted a lot of politics that has been used to meet political ends. This research found out that there is need for government to partner with non-state actors and the community towards restoring the Mau forest