Intra-Ethnic Conflicts And Household Livelihoods In Mt. Elgon, Bungoma County, Kenya

Abstract

This study aims at examining the extent to which intra-ethnic conflicts among the Sabaot clans has affected households’ socio-economic development in Mt Elgon. The recurrent incidences of intra-ethnic conflicts are scantly documented and little is known of an academic study that has examine the extent to which the conflicts have affected household livelihood opportunities. The specific objectives of the study will be to establish the causes of intra-ethnic conflicts in the division, examine the effects of intra-ethnic conflicts on the household’s social -economic status in the area and analyze the role stakeholders in mitigating the of intra-ethnic conflicts in the area. The study will be guided by the collective action theory, which argues that when people are confronted with a common problem, they cooperate to pursue a collective action to achieve a solution especially when the solution cannot be gained individually. An exploratory design will be used on a target population of 60 households. A sample of 30 household heads will be selected. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques will be employed. An interview schedule, in-depth interview, focus group discussion, and observation will be employed for data collection. This study will employ both qualitative and quantitative techniques of data analysis. The study will be important because insecurity has highly affected the basic social life and institutions like the family, schools, and marriage, economy and settlement patterns in the study area, which requires an immediate attention for meaningful development to occur. The study is expected to come up with practical recommendations on the link between the recurrent conflicts and the undesirable state of livelihood conditions experienced by members of the target population.