Curtailing Dissonance amongst Clans in Kenya: A Deeper Insight into Maasai Clans’ Feuds in Narok, Kenya

Abstract

Regions occupied with pastoral communities in Kenya are known to have intra-state conflicts. The main causes of conflicts and clashes are believed to be; grazing fields, water, encroachment by other communities, political leaders, and assimilation. The study thus sought to investigate the causes and remedies of conflicts and clashes among the Maasai clans of Kenya. A cross-sectional research design was used for the study. This design was opted to enable the researchers to determine the impacts of these variables in a more situational analysis perspective. From the study, 90.91% of the respondents agreed that there are clan tussles which 46% agreed to be caused by land ownership. It was also noted that the Ilsiria clan do not adhere to culture and more vulnerable in protecting their territories and culture, the Ilpruko are most favored on choosing political leaders, sale of land preference, and distribution of social amenities. The Ildamat is found to be the most oppressed clan. The respondents believed that remedies to the observed conflicts are through; equal distribution of resources, improving security, the fair appointment of leaders, land demarcation, education/religion, and intermarriages.