| dc.description.abstract | There exists substantial evidence of constant cattle raids and unrest between Samburu
and Turkana in the now Samburu County. This study examined the the nature of
conflict and the socio-economic implications of the conflict, the history and evolution
of the conflict was examined. Studies have been conducted to evaluate the
metamorphosis of the conflict between communities which took center stage slightly
before and after Kenya attained independence. This was partially because of the
demarcation of borders which separated ethnic groups unlike in the pre-colonial
period where people could move freely from one region to another. Thus, the primary
purpose of this study was to investigate the political-spiritual dimension of the
conflict between Samburu and Turkana and its implications on socio-economic
livelihood of Samburu County from 1962 to 2012. The objectives of the study were;
to trace the nature of the political & spiritual dimension of the conflict between the
Samburu and Turkana from 1962 to 2012, to analyze the socio-economic implications
of the conflict between Samburu and Turkana in Samburu County, and to assess the
reason for the persistence of conflict between Samburu and Turkana despite
government intervention. The study used the Hobbesian theory of human nature and
the conflict functionalist perspective by Lewis Coser to evaluate the nature of the
political-spiritual dimension of conflict between the Samburu and Turkana, socio economic challenges, and proposed effective solutions to the conflict. The study was
conducted in Samburu County, the study used non-probability purposive sampling
procedure and snow-balling technique in choosing the respondents. The sample size
was guided by the concept of data saturation where 38 respondents were interviewed.
The study employed a descriptive research design. The use of interview guide helped
collect data, after which it was subjected to qualitative data analysis. Data was also
collected from existing primary and secondary sources which entailed analysis of
political records, economic survey records and provincial administration records to
supplement the ones obtained from interview guide. The study established the
existence of the political-spiritual dimension of conflict between Samburu and
Turkana communities. It also found out that there was enormous socio-economic
effect on their livelihoods. The study showed that most of the community members in
Samburu County were pastoralist with O level education since insecurity had affected
school going children. It was found that Baragoi was the leading village in Samburu
County where conflict took place for a long time, it had been known as the battle
ground for the two communities. It was found that the Turkana had trespassed as far
as south as the Seya River and the Kenya Land Commission recommended that they
should be returned to Elbarta at a baraza that was carried out in Maralal. The study
also found that, effective solution to the conflict between Turkana and Samburu had
been implemented both by the local and the government. It was found discouraging of
customary practices of collective communal initiation was to solve the conflict
between the communities. Therefore, the study will be instrumental to the
Government and policy-makers since it hinted how conflicts can be thwarted so that
people can live harmoniously and social-economic developments and also proposed
various effective solutions which if adopted peace can prevail among the Samburu
and Turkana communities. | en_US |
