Boundary and resource conflict between Kisii and Nyamira counties at Keroka town (1963-2017

Daily interaction of society members in a given locality depends on their level of acceptance and recognition of one another as distinct and unique individuals. Thus, coexistence of communities in disregard to administrative boundaries, clans or ethnicities is quite instrumental in realizing the goal of development. However, the introduction of devolved units of government in Kenya since 2013 following the promulgation of the 2010 constitution has generated politicized resources and boundary conflicts between different counties. A part from political and economic factors, this phenomenon could be linked to underlying socio-cultural and historical developments exacerbating broad distributive effects. Without objective investigation into these conditions, the relations between counties in Kenya will continue to deteriorate and the principle goal of sustaining national unity through decentralization of power will be difficult to attain. This study examined these developments in light of the conflict over Keroka between the Kitutu and the Nyaribari clans in Kisii and Nyamira County since 2013. The study discussed the settlement of dominant Abagusii clans in Keroka area; t establishment of boundaries in Kenya during the colonial period, with specific implications on the Abagusii in Keroka. Investigated possible factors influencing boundary and resource conflict over Keroka town; examined the impact of boundary conflict on relations of Abagusii communities in Keroka and explained possible intervention mechanisms that could be applied to resolve the conflict between Kisii and Nyamira counties. The study contributes significantly in providing greater understanding of boundary and resource conflicts in Kenya based on examination of historical relations. It informs part of the strategies in managing subsequent inter-county resource and boundary disputes in Kenya; provides policy makers and researchers with reliable sources of reference to evaluate the influence of clanism in undermining the stability of the state. Johan Galtung’s conflict theory seeks to understand the causes, structure and dynamics of conflict, was used to interpret and analyze data. Descriptive survey design was used to guide the study as care was taken to ensure good representation, thus probability and non-probability sampling methods used. A sample size of 100 households randomly selected from both Kitutu and Nyaribari clans in Keroka. To ensure clan representation, 50 individuals from each clan randomly picked, interviewed face-to-face basis using a structured questionnaire. Key informant interviews included two members of county assembly, town clerk and Member of Parliament Kitutu purposively selected. Focus group discussion conducted with ninecommunity elders randomly selected using focus group discussion guide. The target population involved both adults and youths with special attention on gender representation, thus 63.3% of men and 36.7% of women interviewed and majority of the respondents interviewed were between 40-80 years. To analyze the history of boundary and resource conflict, thematic and content used to develop comprehensive description of data and interviews recorded in tapes transcribed, divided into meaningful analytical units to allow their content analyzed and interpreted. Information from primary (archival records) and Key informant reports and secondary data corroborated for authenticity and validity. An investigation on the causes of this conflict revealed that, until independence the Kitutu and Nyaribari clans in Keroka had no conflicts over boundary, however, tension began after the establishment of county governments, separating Nyamira and Kisii. Competition over control of scarce resources (taxes) and politics were other major causes. Investigation on the consequences of the conflict revealed that there were high possibilities that, politicization of the underlying causes of this latent conflict escalated and transformed the conflict into violent conditions, thus need for urgent interventions.