DEVOLUTION AND INTERCOMMUNAL CONFLICTS IN MARSABIT COUNTY-KENYA
DEVOLUTION AND INTERCOMMUNAL CONFLICTS IN MARSABIT COUNTY-KENYA
Guyo Gufu Wato - Student, Master of Arts, Public Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Edna Jemutai Moi - Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences, Murang’a University of Technology, Kenya
ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of devolution on inter-communal conflicts in Marsabit County. The specific objectives were to explore the influence of county resource management on inter-communal conflicts, to examine the effect of county leadership composition on these conflicts, and to assess the role of peace building initiatives in mitigating inter-communal conflicts in Marsabit County. The study focused solely on Marsabit County, and its findings are relevant only within that context. The study was grounded in conflict theory and utilized a mixed-methods approach, combining both exploratory and correlational research designs. The target population included household heads, county government officials, administrative leaders, religious leaders, and individuals involved in peacebuilding efforts in Marsabit County. The sample consisted of 100 household heads. A questionnaire was used to gather data from household heads while data from key informants was gathered using interview guides. SPSS was utilized to analyse data collected using questionnaires. Descriptive analysis was applied to characterize the respondents and analyze their differing perceptions of devolution and its impact on inter-communal conflicts, using means and percentages. Inferential data analysis was conducted using Chi-square test. The quantitative results were presented in tables and figures. Data from interviews was analyzed using thematic analysis. From the analysis, there was statistically significant relationship between resource management policies and inter-communal conflicts in Marsabit County (χ2=8.723, P value=0.013). The findings imply that resource management practices significantly influence the occurrence of conflicts in Marsabit County. There was statistically significant relationship between county leadership composition and inter-communal conflicts in Marsabit County (χ2=11.952, P value=0.018). The findings suggest that the composition of county leadership influence the dynamics of inter-communal conflicts. The relationship between peace building initiative policies and inter-communal conflicts was statistically significant (χ2=10.678, P value=O.030). The findings imply that county peace building initiatives play a meaningful role in influencing the state of inter-communal relations. The findings offered rich insights that would create and implement policies both at the county and national level that will contribute to conflict resolution. It also greatly contributes to the literature on the role of devolution on inter-communal conflict.
