Influence of strategy and policy management of resource-based conflict: The case of Samburu East Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

Conservancies are endowed with a variety of finite resources which if properly harnessed can impact the lives of the benefactors. However, changing times and increased demand coupled with human greed oftentimes leads to conflicts which hinder the proper utilization of those finite resources. The main aim of this study was to examine the influence of strategy and policy on the management of resource based conflicts. The specific objectives guiding the study were: examine the adequacy of the conflict management strategies used in handling resource-based conflicts in conservancies, evaluate the effectiveness of the existing legal and policy framework for the management of resource conflicts in conservancies, explore the challenges bedeviling the management of recurring resource based conflicts in conservancies in Samburu East Sub County. The study used eco-violence theory. A sample size of 327 respondents was used to collect data. Respondents comprising the sample size were obtained using stratified, purposive and simple random sampling procedures. The study revealed that strategies enhance conflicts management in conservancies in Samburu East Sub County. Further, the study established that governance shortcomings on the provision for water and grazing pasture needs to the pastoralists, has contributed to ranch and conservancies invasions and, wildlife conflict, the governance structure weakens and undermines traditional governance systems, neglect, discrimination of the communal needs of pastoralists in the County by the colonial administration and successive regimes, has propagated a bias towards white land owners, and that during droughts, pastoralist livelihoods become particularly precarious leading to increased aggression on white settlers’ lands and conservancies. The study established that there is a framework for Management of Recurring Resource-Based Conflicts in conservancies in Samburu East Sub County. In addition, the study established that Framework for Management are in Use and assists in exacerbating Resource- Based Conflicts in Samburu East Sub County. Also, the study revealed that a framework for Management of Recurring Resource-Based Conflicts in conservancies in Samburu East Sub County is not effective. The study also established that that government formulate frameworks for Management of Recurring Resource-Based Conflicts in conservancies in Samburu East Sub County and is mandated to implement them. The study recommends that the championing of cross-border cooperation initiative in collaboration with the neighboring counties should be strengthened and more innovative collaborative initiatives and strategies adapted due to their participatory elements. Ethnic tribes and the primary users of natural resources in the region are divided by mere administrative colonial boarders hence the need for the adoption of a regional approach in strategy formulation concerning water, wildlife and forest conservation. There is need for the Kenyan government and the County administration to adopt interventional measures for sustainable development at the local level to aid pastoralist societies adjust to climate seasonality and other ecological variations such as water harvesting and storage, construction of mega reservoirs and dams, value addition for crops and livestock. Finally, This Study Suggest That There is need to broaden this study on natural resources based conflict by carrying out a survey on all the ASAL areas in the country.