INTERNAL TRIGGERS AND THE ESCALATION OF CONFLICT IN NORTHERN KENYA 1990-2014
Jonathan Ltipalei - Student, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Dr. Joshua M. Kivuva - Senior Lecturer, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Dr. Fred O. Jonyo - Senior Lecturer, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
The article analyses the internal dynamics that were happening in Kenya and the impact they had on pastoral communities. This article argues that with the coming of Moi into power in 1978, and with political and economic liberalization happening in the late 80s and early 90’s, a trend emerged where traditional pastoral conflict was increasingly being used for political and economic gains. In order to find out if multiparty contributed to the rise of conflict, the survey was conducted in Samburu, Pokot and Turkana. The study concluded that the transition from cultural to commercial raiding has tremendously escalated conflicts. The cultural raiding had rules that governed the number of cattle to be raided, the manner in which to carry out the raids and prohibited any killing especially of women, children and the elderly. This assisted to control escalation of conflicts. The weapons used were inferior and incapable of mass destruction. With introduction of more sophisticated weapons like AK-47 riffles, conflicts resulting to deaths, mass displacement and annihilation of some villages became a new phenomenon. This in turn encouraged more arming of communities and cyclical retaliatory attacks. The cattle industry out of cattle rustling is a huge one supplying meat in urban areas. It is controlled by business people who are not necessarily pastoralists but very well politically connected. This has in turn increased black market for the meat out of stolen cattle thus further enhancing the illegal industry and demand for more cattle leading to more rustling and conflicts.