Dialogue as a Means of Conflict Resolution among Pastoralist Communities of Kapedo Location, Kenya

Cornel Omondi Oredo, Dr. Wilkister Shanyisa & Dr. Jonathan Omuchesi
Catholic University of Eastern Africa
Email: cornelomondi88@yahoo.com

Abstract: This research sought to investigate how dialogue can be effectively used as a means to conflict resolution among pastoral communities in Kenya. The study was done in Kapedo location, Turkana County. It was set to investigate the effectiveness of dialogue as a means of conflict resolution among pastoralist communities in Kapedo location. This study was guided by Relation-Cultural Theory (RCT). A mixed methods approach with a focus on descriptive research design was adopted. A sample size of 341 participants was achieved for the study. Questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data, while FGDs and interviews were used to collect qualitative data. SPSS software was used to analyze quantitative data while thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The study found out that dialogue, if adopted, would help resolve the long-lived conflict in Kapedo location. The study recommends that the rites of passage ceremonies should be used as instruments through which the young men who are directly involved in these conflicts could be taught on the centrality of dialogue in conflict resolution in Kapedo location. A recommendation is made that other than the use of military force, a multi-level taskforce ought to be formed to oversee the use of dialogue as a means of conflict resolution. Similarly, the study recommends that the relationship between culture and conflict resolution among the pastoralists need to be independently researched.