THE NEXUS BETWEEN SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS AND CONFLICT DYNAMISM WITHIN KERIO VALLEY DELTA, KENYA

Abstract

The demographic consequences of conflict and violence in the developing world are receiving increased attention and so is conflict in Kenya. The Northern part of Kenya in particular inhabited by pastoral communities such as the Turkana, Pokot, Marakwet, and Samburu in the Kerio valley Delta, have had years of unresolved conflict. In as much as cattle raids practiced by these communities are considered a culture, emerging sociocultural factors have increased conflict dynamism in the Kerio Valley Delta Kenya and thus the need for conflict management that resonate with new socialization in unending violence. This study aimed at understanding the relationship between socio-cultural factors and conflict dynamism. The general objective of this study is to investigate the nexus between socio-cultural factors and conflict dynamism in Kerio valley delta while the specific objectives were; To assess the relationship between maintaining status as a socio-cultural element and conflict dynamism within Kerio Valley Delta; To examine influence of ethnic identity as a socio-cultural attribute to conflict dynamism within Kerio valley Delta; To analyse the influence of cultural beliefs system as a socio-cultural attribute on conflict dynamism within Kerio Valley Delta and To evaluate the effectiveness of livelihood options as a deterrence of conflict within Kerio Valley Delta. This study was guided by conflict transformational theory and culture theory. The study was conducted in Kerio Valley Delta which links Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo Counties. Through cross cultural and correlation research designs were used and data collected by use of purposive, simple random, snowballing and census methods. The study population of this research comprised of community elders; morans households in six counties-192,575; government officers461-. The total study population was 193,060. Questionnaires and interviews were used with 196 community elders, 179 community morans; interviews were used with 54 government officers while FGDs were used with 125 government officers. Total sample size was 384. The study adopted a cross-cultural research design and correlational study research design. The quantitative data received from the questionnaires categorized per objective was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools while qualitative data was analysed using thematic/narrative analysis. Computer software was used for coding and further analysis. The study results show that; maintaining status, ethnic identity, cultural belief system and livelihood options have a strong and positive relationship with conflict dynamism in the Kerio Valley Delta. The study thus recommends that conflict management strategies should focus on current socio-cultural factors. Sustainable livelihood options such as sedentary pastoralism should be structured with full government support with aim of developing an otherwise marginalised region