Factors influencing inter-ethnic conflicts in Kuresoi north sub-county: Nakuru county, Kenya

Abstract

Inter-ethnic conflicts refer to a state marked by deficiency of communication, or lack of peaceful coexistence that hampers interaction between members of different ethnic groups. They are a global menace, with the highest frequency in newly democratic African countries. Inter-ethnic conflicts have caused such havoc as loss of human life, poor inter-ethnic relations, forced human displacements, destruction of property, cattle rustling, slowed economic growth and increased cases of SGBV. This study sought to investigate factors influencing inter-ethnic conflicts among the inhabitants of Kuresoi North Sub-county, Nakuru county. It focused on how economic, political and socio-cultural factors influence inter-ethnic conflicts in the sub-county. Descriptive survey research Design was used. Two out of the four administrative wards in the sub-county were purposively sampled out for the study. A total of 120 respondents; who included the youth, politicians, religious leaders, chiefs and assistant chiefs, women representatives, primary and secondary school teachers formed the study’s sample population. The findings of this study were that agriculture, which is an economic activity, has influenced inter-ethnic conflicts in the sub-county; in that it has led to residents’ desire to have more land for farming and grazing. The political factors which were found out to influence inter-ethnic conflicts encompassed political incitements and negative ethnic stereotypes. The socio- cultural factors which influenced inter-ethnic conflicts included traditional war songs and poems, cattle rustling, use of traditional war weapons and rites of passage such as circumcision. Based on the findings of this study, the researcher recommended that the youth should be encouraged to pursue formal employment and trade as their major economic activities. Politicians who incite the youth to cause conflicts should be sued so that others may learn from them. The different ethnic groups should be encouraged to have dialogue in the event of an inter-ethnic impasse. Inter-ethnic social activities such as cultural, religious, and sporting events should be strengthened in order to enhance inter-ethnic cohesion. Alternative rites of passage that are not ethnic-based should be adopted. Finally the Government should provide enough security in the areas where the citizens are prone to inter-ethnic conflicts. Recommendations for further study that were suggested included; effects of inter-ethnic conflicts on socio-economic status of citizens, investigation into the effectiveness of security measures taken by the government and factors influencing the choice of the type of inter-ethnic conflicts’ resolution strategies in Kuresoi North sub-county.