A HISTORICAL STUDY OF THE LAND QUESTION IN RELATION TO INTER-ETHNIC CONFLICTS IN LAIKIPIA AREA SINCE 1895

Abstract

Land like any other natural resource was analysed broadly with the view of unraveling its ramification in the expression of inter-ethnic conflicts globally. In light of modernism, institutional land reforms and new governance structures, land was still a factor in the manifestation of inter-ethnic conflicts. There was need therefore to study why land triggers inter-ethnic land conflicts in Laikipia area. This study undertook a historical study of the land question in relation to inter-ethnic conflicts in Laikipia area since 1895 as its general objective. The specific objectives of this study were to; trace the migration and settlement of the ethnic communities and its influence on inter-ethnic relations in Laikipia area up to 1963 investigate the dynamics impacting the land question in inter-ethnic relations in Laikipia area 1895-1992; examine the inter-ethnic conflict trends in Laikipia area since 1895, assess the influence of the land question on inter-ethnic conflicts in Laikipia Area since 1895 and evaluate the socio-economic impact of inter-ethnic land conflicts in Laikipia Area since 1992 . Instrumentalism and articulation of modes of production theories were used to give a broad theoretical framework on the basis of this study‘s variables. The study was carried out in the six sub-regions of Laikipia area which included; Laikipia Central, Laikipia East, Laikipia North, Kirima, Laikipia West and Nyahururu. The study focused on the period since 1895, in order to enact the land question from colonial era and include contemporary dynamics. This study adopted the historical research design. Non probabilistic sampling technique was used to sample knowledgeable informants from the six regions. Snow-balling was used where referral cases are involved. The study‘s target populations were elders, political leaders, farmers and peace actors with a sample size of seventy-nine respondents and four focus group discussions. Respondents were sampled purposively from all the six sub counties of Laikipia area. Data was then analyzed thematically according to the study‘s specific objectives. The study adhered to research ethics at all stages as much as possible except for anonymity. This ensured that objectivity, validity, reliability and the standards of this study were maintained. The study made the following main findings: Migration and settlement of the ethnic groups in Laikipia area led to inter ethnic relations in Laikipia area up to 1963. The study established that ethnic nationalism and ancestral land claims, change in land use and tenure, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, media, geo-politics, conservative nature of herders, colonialism led to the rise of the land question in relation to inter-ethnic relations in Laikipia area since 1895. The study established that there were inter-ethnic trends conflicts in Laikipia area during the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial eras. The study found out that land question dynamics triggered inter-ethnic land conflicts in Laikipia area since 1895. The study established that the protracted inter-ethnic land conflicts impacted negatively on the socio-economic and environmental fabrics of Laikipia area since 1992. The study concluded that ancestral land claims, colonialism, changes in land use and land tenure, geo-politics, ethnocentrism and skewed government resettlement programme led to the rise of the land question its impact on the inter-ethnic conflicts in Laikipia Area. The study recommended that; ancestral land claims and historical land injustices should be addressed. Dynamics impacting the land question should be fixed. Pressure attached to land as a force of production in the expression of inter-ethnic conflicts should be reduced by developing alternative sources of livelihoods.