Factors Influencing Youth to Engage in Conflict in Garrissa Municipality, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate factors influencing youth to engage in conflict in Garrisa municipality, Kenya. Five research objectives were formulated to guide the study. The research design used in this study was descriptive survey, which is a method of collecting data by interviewing or administering a questionnaire to sampled individuals. The sample of the study comprised of 25 youth group administration and 105 youth groups members. Data in the study were collected using questionnaires while data was analyzed by use of qualitative and quantitative techniques. Findings revealed that education system influenced youth conflict. Findings also revealed that inequity in access of education, the unsuitability of education to the job market, lack of technical skills, poor organization of educational institutions and exposure to violence within the learning institutions posed a risk for youth violence. Findings further indicated that accessibility to weapons influenced youth conflict. The study also revealed that cultural and social norms influenced youth conflict. It was further revealed that political risk factors influenced youth conflict. Youth indicated that politics contributed at a high rate to youth conflict. Findings also indicated that economic related risk factors influenced youth conflict. Based on the findings, it was concluded that youths rated the level of education of the youth in Garissa as low. Youth engaged themselves in conflict because of lack of education. The study also concluded that accessibility to weapons influenced youth conflict. Youth respondents for example indicated that youth in Garissa accessed small arms. The study also concluded that cultural and social norms influenced youth conflict. For example, youth officials indicated that they experienced conflict as a result of different cultural orientation. The study further concluded that political risk factors influenced youth conflict. Youth indicated that politics contributed at a high rate to youth conflict, while youth officials indicated that politics contributed at a very high rate to youth conflict, the same number of youth officials indicated that it contributed at a high rate. The study also concluded that economic related risk factors influenced youth conflict. For example, youth indicated that unemployment of the youth lead to youth conflict. The youth respondents indicated that youth were not endowed with resources to establish their own businesses. The study recommended that Strong vision and leadership are needed to tackle youth employment and participation, at national and county levels. The study therefore recommends that at the national level, a fairly participatory, multistakeholder and inclusive process to formulate the National Action Plan for Youth Employment should largely be implemented. The momentum behind this initiative, which provides a potentially valuable platform for policy dialogue and change, needs to be rekindled, with active involvement from government, civil society, the private sector and the donor community. At the county level, generating decent jobs in decent numbers will require strong local economic development planning, and a vision and strategies to attract investment in sectors where there is a competitive advantage, as well as socially responsible business practice.