Territorial Groups Conflicts Among the Maasai: Case of the Ilpurko, Ilkeekonyokie and Iloodokilani of Kajiado West Sub-county, 1996-2012

Abstract

This study sets to explore factors that make the two Maasai territorial groupsof Ilkeekonyokie and Iloodokilani of Kajiado West Sub Countybe in constant conflict with the Ilpurko one. The study covered the period from 1996 to 2012 and the objectives were to investigate the origin and causes of these recurrent conflicts, find out their impact on members of the three groups and finally identify any initiatives that existed to resolve them while assessing their effectiveness. To help understand these conflicts better, this study utilized the ‘Greed-Grievance’ motivation theory as propounded by Paul Cullier and Anke Ontral. In this study, two of the territorial groups were always in conflict with another in a bid to make them control more of the natural resources found in the area at the expense of the third one. The research was both descriptive and statistical. Guided and purposeful sampling method was used to get the population size required. Fifty five members respondedto questionnaires while forty gave oral interviews. These were all sampled from the three feuding groups. Nine key informants who had extensive knowledge of the area due to their working experiencewere also interviewed. Variousincidents of conflicts that had occurred within the period weredescribed as reported in the media, reports from government and other agencies such as NGO’s. The study revealed that the persistent conflicts between the Ilkeekonyokie and Iloodokilani territorial groups against the Ilpurkowere caused by various factors. Further, these conflicts had serious negative impact on the group members. There were several peace building initiatives to end the recurrent conflicts. However, these strategies that had been used so far were largelyineffective as the conflicts continued recurring. The project also gave several recommendations that, if implemented, could reduce these conflicts