TITLE:
Nature and Causes of Inter-Ethnic Conflicts in Nyakach and Sigowet Sub-Counties of Western Kenya
AUTHORS:
James Omondi Juma, Ruth Simiyu
KEYWORDS:
Inter-Ethnic Conflicts, Sporadic Violence, Ethnic Groups, Types of Conflicts, Cattle Raiding
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.7 No.7,
July
31,
2019
ABSTRACT: The causes of inter-ethnic conflict are complex as they are deeply rooted
into the socio-cultural beliefs of the society. This study was guided by the
Primordialism theory. The study employed descriptive research design. The study
utilized both primary and secondary data. Data collection was done using
questionnaires, interviews and Focus Group Discussions. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Packages for Social Scientists (SPSS 17).
Data were presented in tables, bar graphs and pie charts. The findings of the
study revealed that the conflicts in Nyakach and Sigowet Sub-counties were
attributed to cattle rustling, political incitement and retaliatory attacks
with the key perpetrators of the conflicts being politicians, youths and cattle
rustlers. The conflicts were recurrent and largely affected the communities.
Additionally, the recurrent conflicts were largely witnessed along the borders
of the two sub-counties. The study concluded that both socio-cultural factors
and politics had a lot of bearing on conflicts and as such members of the
community and political players were key stakeholders if the conflicts were to
be averted in the long term.