Peacebuilding initiatives among pastoral communities in Garissa County, Kenya

Mohamed Salah; Crispinous Iteyo; Ruth Simiyu

doi:10.51867/ajernet.7.4.5

Authors

Mohamed Salah Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya
Crispinous Iteyo Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3370-8804
Ruth Simiyu Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0223-3441

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.7.4.5

Keywords:

Conflict Resolution, Community Participation, Garissa County, Peacebuilding Initiatives, Pastoral Communities

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the peacebuilding initiatives among pastoral communities in Garissa County, Kenya. The study was guided by Systems Theory, which emphasizes the interdependence of social institutions in promoting stability. Grounded in the pragmatist research philosophy, the study adopted a descriptive research design. A sample of 526 respondents was selected using purposive and simple random sampling techniques from household heads, chiefs, Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of County Assembly (MCAs), National Police Service officers, non-governmental organization (NGO) and community-based organization (CBO) representatives, the County Commissioner, religious leaders, women leaders and youth leaders in Garissa County. Primary data were collected using questionnaires, interview guides and focus group discussion (FGD) guides, while secondary data were obtained from journals, books, unpublished works and research articles. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations, whereas qualitative data were analyzed thematically with the aid of NVivo software. The findings revealed that peacebuilding initiatives are highly prevalent (88.6%) and generally effective (75.6%) in promoting peaceful coexistence among pastoral communities. Community-based peacebuilding mechanisms received strong support from respondents, with religious leaders recording the highest endorsement (97.7%), followed by dialogue forums (95.0%), clan elders (92.4%) and the customary xeer system (90.6%). Inferential analysis confirmed very strong positive correlations between the peacebuilding initiatives and their perceived effectiveness, with County Peace Committees returning the strongest association (r = .983, p < .001). The study concludes that locally driven and culturally embedded peacebuilding approaches, when coordinated with formal state structures, remain the most trusted and effective mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution in Garissa County. It recommends the enactment of a Hybrid Peace Infrastructure Policy that embeds customary and religious peace actors within formal state peace structures.

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