Ethnic Conflicts and Children’s Rights Among Pastoral Communities: A Case of Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya

Abstract

Ethnic conflicts continue to remain one of the biggest setbacks affecting human rights in African countries. The Kenyan scenario is not different. As witnessed in different communities which unconsciously and consciously use ethnic conflicts to exercise hegemony and dominance within an environment characterized by resource scarcity, prejudice, and continuous fear. The current study assessed the effects of ethnic conflicts on children's rights among pastoral communities, focusing on Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study included assessing the nature of ethnic conflicts in Elgeyo Marakwet County in Kenya; evaluating the extent to which ethnic conflicts affected children’s rights in Elgeyo Marakwet County in Kenya; and analyzing the effectiveness of measures put in place to mitigate ethnic conflicts in light of children’s violated rights in Elgeyo Marakwet County in Kenya. The study was anchored to Primordialism and Child Development theories and grounded on an explanatory research design based on a pragmatic philosophy. The study population consisted of 1,480 households living along the borders of Elgeyo Marakwet County. The study used 137 households derived from the Taro Yamane sample size determination formula and selected based on a simple random sampling technique. It also included 40 key informants (chiefs, sub-county commissioners) who were purposefully selected. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative methods to collect primary data. The qualitative data was analyzed thematically and presented in prose form while the quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in tables, charts, and graphs. In conclusion, the study underscored there is severe impact of ethnic conflicts on children's rights in Elgeyo Marakwet County. These conflicts disrupted the stability, education, and overall well-being of children, necessitating urgent and comprehensive interventions. Effective measures are needed to address both immediate needs and long-term recovery, ensuring that children were protected, supported, and given opportunities to thrive despite the challenges posed by ethnic conflicts. To mitigate ethnic conflicts and address the violation of children's rights in Elgeyo Marakwet County, the study recommended adopting a holistic and multi-faceted approach.