State and Non-State Actors in Sustainable Peace and Development The case of East Pokot Sub-County of Baringo County, Kenya

Abstract

Despite the Kenya Government and other Development Agencies’ publicised interventions, the Pokot community in East Pokot of Baringo County, is often caught up in conflict with their neighbours, a factor that reveals a more complex scenario, often in the context of marginalization. This research article seeks to examine the existing interventions by State and non-state actors for sustainable peace and development in East Pokot, Baringo County. The research article utilizes both primary and secondary data.
Primary data was collected from five main villages in East Pokot namely Chewara, Chemukutan, Tamkal, Kakapul and Mosolyon. The four villages of Chewara, Chemukutan, Tamkal and Kakapul are among some of the villages that have been highly affected by the protracted conflicts. It also employs an exploratory research design with the Primary data being gathered through Focus Group
Discussions (FGDs) in five areas in East Pokot villages considered as conflict hotspots, and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with other
stakeholders. Data from secondary sources including documents and news media has been used in order to help in understanding the context, and the existing interventions, as well as the social, economic, and political environment in East Pokot sub-county. The findings reveals effective interventions included livelihood and environmental support, education initiatives, and peace campaigns, particularly those featuring participatory and targeted engagements and a mind-set and behaviour change approach. It recommends policy interventions that promote distributive justice, equalization, and affirmative action, as well as the establishment of policies and practices that support pastoral livelihood and the pastoral economy. It also recommends the use of integrated interventions that will help reduce the immediate vulnerabilities while also working on long-term mind-set and behaviour change.