DISTRIBUTION OF WATER RESOURCE CAN BE A CONFLICT MANAGEMENT TOOL AMONG PASTORALIST COMMUNITIES IN TURKANA COUNTY

ISMAIL ALI OMAR; BENJAMIN KIMOLO

doi:10.61426/rjssh.v7i1.597

ISMAIL ALI OMAR Department of Public Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
BENJAMIN KIMOLO, PhD Lecturer, Department of Public Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61426/rjssh.v7i1.597

Keywords: Water Availability and Accessibility, Water Resource Distribution, Water-Related Conflicts

Abstract

Water scarcity and frequent conflicts over limited water sources remain a major challenge to pastoralist populations in the Turkana County in Kenya, threatening their livelihoods, social unity and harmonious coexistence. This study sought to assess how the water resource is apportioned and how the conflicts between pastoralist groups in Turkana County, Kenya are managed. The objectives of the study were to assess the effect of water availability and accessibility on conflict management in pastoralist communities, examine how water resource distribution affects conflict management among pastoralist communities and the impact of water-related conflicts on the conflict management systems in Turkana County. Common-pool resource theory and conflict-resolution theory was used to inform the research. The study was based on a descriptive and inferential design. The target population comprised of 6,721 pastoralists residence and 35 department of water officials in Turkana County. By use of Yamane method of determining sample size resulted in a sample population of 370 people and 8 key interview informants to participate in the research. The selected respondents’ views were captured to gather data through the use of questionnaires and key informant interviews. The quantitative data was analysed through the use of descriptive statistics, frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation, which was presented in tables. The qualitative data was thematically analysed and was subsequently organized into major themes, such as water scarcity, allocation practices, and conflict management mechanisms, supported by direct narratives of County water officals. The findings demonstrated that unfair water allocation is a factor in conflicts, and that inclusive and community-based approaches to managing conflicts lead to peaceful sharing of resources.

Author Biographies

ISMAIL ALI OMAR, Department of Public Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

Department of Public Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

BENJAMIN KIMOLO, PhD, Lecturer, Department of Public Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

Lecturer, Department of Public Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

References

Adano, W. R., & Witsenburg, K. M. (2009). Of rain and raids: Violent livestock raiding in northern Kenya. Civil Wars, 11(4), 514–538. https://doi.org/10.1080/13698240903403915

Adono, L. (2020). Water scarcity and development challenges in arid regions.

African Union. (2023). Policy framework for pastoralism in Africa: Securing, protecting and improving the lives, livelihoods and rights of pastoralist communities. African Union Commission.

Asokan, S. M., Kweyu, R. M., Makokha, M., & Obando, J. A. (2025). Prolonged drought and governance challenges in Turkana County, Kenya – Access to water and livelihood changes. Environmental Development, 101, 101193.

Catley, A., Lind, J., & Scoones, I. (2020). Pastoralism and development in Africa: Dynamic change at the margins. Routledge.

Constitution of Kenya. (2010). The Constitution of Kenya. Government Printer.

Food and Agriculture Organization. (2022). Water governance and pastoral livelihoods in Africa. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Galaty, J. G. (2016). Boundary-making and pastoral conflict along the Kenyan–Ethiopian borderlands. African Studies Review, 59(1), 85–107.

Gleick, P. H. (2018). Water, conflict, and peace. Open Rivers: Rethinking Water, Place & Community, (11). https://doi.org/10.24926/2471190X.4697

Government of Kenya (GoK). (2018). Kenya population and housing census: Volume I – Population by county and sub-county. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.

Government of Kenya. (2025). Kenya Vision 2030: A globally competitive and prosperous Kenya.

Government of Kenya. (2023). National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS). Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources.

Government of Kenya, County Government of Turkana. (2023). Turkana County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023–2027 [Development plan].

Greiner, C. (2023). Guns, land, and votes: Cattle rustling and the politics of boundary (re)making in Northern Kenya. African Affairs, 112(447), 216–237.

Hamro-Drotz, D. (2024). Livelihood security: Climate change, migration and conflict in the Sahel. In Conflict-sensitive adaptation to climate change in Africa (p. 195).

International Alert & Water, Peace and Security (WPS) Partnership. (2022). Water-related conflicts in Turkana County: Analysis of drivers and responses

International Livestock Research Institute. (2022). Pastoral livelihoods and resource competition in northern Kenya.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2022). Climate change 2022: Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability.

Kameno, J. (2023). Traditional conflict resolution mechanisms in arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya.

Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. (2024). Are we under siege? The state of security in Kenya: An occasional report (2010–2014). Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

Lesorogol, C. K. (2020). Guns and governance in the Rift Valley: Pastoralist conflict and small arms by Kennedy Agade Mkutu (Review). The Journal of Modern African Studies, 48(1), 178–179.

Mugenda, O. M., & Mugenda, A. G. (2003). Research methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches (2nd ed.). ACTS Press.

Ngonge, D., Nyukuri, E., & Muigua, K. (2023). Stakeholder involvement in water resource–related conflict management in the Lake Turkana Basin of Kenya. Kabarak Journal of Research & Innovation, 13, 26–36.

Njaya, T. K., & Muna, W. (2022). Transparency practices and sustainability of water projects in Turkana County, Kenya. Journal of Public Policy and Governance, 2(1), 26–34. https://doi.org/10.70619/vol2iss1pp26-34

Nori, M., & Davies, J. (2007). Change of wind or wind of change? Climate change, adaptation and pastoralism. World Initiative for Sustainable Pastoralism, IUCN.

Nori, S., & Gemini, M. (2011). The common agricultural policy vis-à-vis European pastoralists: Principles and practices. Pastoralism, 1(1), Article 27. https://doi.org/10.1186/2041-7136-1-27

Obiero, K., Wakjira, M., Gownaris, N., & Malala, J. (2023). Lake Turkana: Status, challenges, and opportunities for collaborative research. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 49(6), 102120.

Omolo, N. (2021). Gender and climate change-induced conflict in pastoral communities: Case study of Turkana in north-western Kenya. African Journal on Conflict Resolution, 10(2), 81–102.

Safari, S. N., & Wambua, P. P. (2024). Water scarcity role on violent conflicts amongst pastoralist communities in Tiaty Sub-County, Baringo County Kenya. Rev. J. Soc. Sci. Humanit, 5, 137-163.

Schilling, J., Akuno, M., Scheffran, J., & Weinzierl, T. (2014). On raids and relations: Climate change, pastoral conflict and adaptation in north-western Kenya. In S. Bronkhorst & U. Bob (Eds.), Conflict-sensitive adaptation to climate change in Africa (pp. 241–268). Berliner Wissenschaftsverlag.

Scoones, I., & Nori, M. (2023). Living with and from uncertainty: Lessons from pastoralists for development. In Pastoralism, uncertainty and development (pp. 119–140).

Swain, A., & Öjendal, J. (Eds.). (2023). Routledge handbook of environmental conflict and peacebuilding. New York: Routledge.