Communication Strategies and Conflict Transformation: A Pokot View of The Efficacy of the Past Cattle-Rustling Conflict Interventions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out what conflict interventions have been employed in the fight against the cattle-rustling conflict and to establish why these interventions have not brought a lasting solution to the conflict. The study was carried out in Alale Division of West Pokot District. Data were collected using focus group discussions and interviews and were analyzed based on the predetermined themes as well as incorporating emerging issues. The following were the key findings of this study: First, the State efforts towards resolving cattle-rustling problem have been indiscriminate, punitive in measures and unfair to the innocent members of the communities. Secondly, most peace- building agencies employed piecemeal strategies; thirdly, the interventions by the State and civil societies have targeted secondary actors. The fourth finding is that the rival communities have in their tradition frequent intercommunity peace nego- tiations and agreements, and the fifth finding indicates that the pastoralists have a shared knowledge of peace as temporary phenomena. It also suggests that there is a potential for long lasting transformation of the cattle-rustling conflict. The study also reveals that the pastoralists have more trust for civil societies than the State. The findings also point towards an all-inclusive, long-term strategy for conflict transformation that will see an end to the cattle- rustling conflict. The study makes recommendations to the State to look at its interventions, and to evaluate and redesign them, the civil societies to take a facilitator role and together with the media, researchers and other stakeholders, to forge a united front towards a solution to the cattle-rustling conflict.