Thesis:

Ethnic conflicts influencing socio-economic development of border communities, a case of Abagusii and Kipsigis in Borabu and Bomet central sub-counties, Kenya

Ethnic conflicts are a global menace, with the highest frequency in newly democratic African countries. They are marked with deficiency in communication, or lack of peaceful coexistence that hampers interaction between members of different ethnic groups. The recurrence of ethnic conflicts along the border in the study location has been a common phenomenon, it was therefore, imperative that this study sought to assess the ethnic conflicts influencing socio-economic development of border communities between the Kipsigis and Abagusii of Bomet Central Sub-County and Borabu Sub-County respectively. The specific objectives of the study were to: analyze the ethnic conflicts of multiparty democracy influencing socio-economic development of the Abagusii and Kipsigis along the border, examine the ethnic conflict of administrative-political resource sharing influencing socio economic development of Abagusii and Kipsigis along the border and evaluate the challenges in ethnic conflicts mitigation influencing socio-economic development of the Abagusii and Kipsigis along the border. The study was informed by the Theory of Ethnic Conflict and Identity theory. The researcher used correlation research design adopting both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The study was carried in Borabu and Bomet Central Sub Counties with a target population of 243,610 people from the two Sub-Counties. A sample population of 384 respondents determined by Mugenda and Mugenda formula was used in the study involving; youth group leaders, elders, administrators and clergy. Data collection instruments included questionnaires, interview guides, observation and document review. The qualitative data collected from the field was coded and edited in conformity with specific research objectives of the study while quantitative data was analyzed thematically. The analyzed data was presented using descriptive statistics in form of figures, tables and charts. The study adhered to ethical standards which included anonymity of participants and insuring that they gave their consent before participating. The findings of the study revealed that multiparty democracy influenced ethnic conflicts through ethnic and regional choice, multiparty elections and multiparty disagreements. Ethnic violence was influenced through politically instigated resource sharing among border communities. Administrative way of sharing resources like land interfered with land uses leading to communal discords. This influenced negatively the socio-economic development along the border. The study also found that lack of compensation of the aggrieved parties in the ethnic conflicts and perceived bias in the administration of justice and resource sharing were the major setbacks in the management of ethnic conflicts along the border. The study concluded that, besides communities perceiving resource sharing being underlining causes of conflicts, multiparty democracy in Kenya has a place too in influencing ethnic conflicts especially among border communities. The study recommends that sensitization of communities on multiparty democracy and good governance through elected leaders. Furthermore, perceived bias in resource sharing along the border should be addressed through development of partnerships between institutions, local leaders and communities. Finally, the study recommended that ensuring sustained peace and ensure socio-economic development along the border requires a bottom-up peace building initiative where warring communities fully participate in decision making on peace progress and socio-economic development.