Conflict Resolution Mechanisms in Restoring Sustainable Peace in Saku Sub-County, Marsabit County

Abstract

African societies and the developing countries have been undergoing difficult times in terms of ethnic and clan conflicts and antagonism. The northern part of Kenya especially Marsabit is infamous for the frequent conflicts and counter conflicts as communities are pitied against each other despite the numerous high profile conflict resolution mechanism processes employed year after year. The study was guided by the objectives of how methods of conflict resolutions, the role of women in conflict relation mechanisms and the challenges faced in restoring sustainable peace in Saku sub-county. The study was significant in that sustainable peace has not been realised despite the efforts being employed. Study was guided by Kumar Rupesinghe theory of conflict transformation model and Edward Azar’s theory of Protracted Social Conflict (PSC) theory. A cross-sectional design was used to target community conflicts in Saku. Purposive and random sampling techniques were employed in this study to collect data from respond ents. The data collection instruments were questionnaire and interview guide which were tested for reliability and validity before being administered on different respondents. The quantitative data collected by questionnaire was processed, analysed by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 11.5) and finally presented in frequency tables, graphs and charts. The qualitative data collected by interview guide was evaluated, classified into logical thematic categories based on the objectives of the study and a description of the phenomenon. The study found out that traditional method of conflict resolution processes was the most preferred; women should take active role in conflict resolutions processes; challenges in peace processes include scramble for inadequate resources, possession of illegal arms, ethnic political incitement; inadequate skill levels of negotiators/mediators. The study concludes that the main cause of conflict is scramble for pasture and water, that the indigenous method of conflict resolution need to be employed, and that the government and other stakeholders should take into consideration the above. Finally several recommendations were made including the use of traditional methods of conflict resolution; need for the government to make their presence felt in the entire county and provide security to the citizens; involvement of all stakeholders in peace processes and disarmament programmes.