TITLE: A History of Protracted Conflict and Food Security in Mount Elgon Area, 1800-2008

STUDENT’S NAME: Lubisia Edwin Wanyonyi

SUPERVISORS; NAMES:

1. Pontian Godfrey Okoth
2. Peter Kirui
3. Paul Obino

ABSTRACT

Globally, conflicts have adverse effects on food security. They are the major drivers of food insecurity. The nexus between conflicts and food security has posed a great concern to human existence. In Mount Elgon area, numerous conflicts have been recorded. Mount Elgon conflict takes two forms i.e. inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic. The current study sought to investigate the history of protracted conflict and food security in Mount Elgon area, 1800-2008. The area has been embroiled inland conflicts since colonial times but the dawn of multiparty politics heightened the conflicts resulting into mass destruction of food security. As is common in any conflict, its effects are felt long after the last bullet is fired. The specific objectives of this study were to trace trends of demographic settlement, conflict, and food security Mount Elgon area from 1800- 1895,   explore factors behind protracted  conflict in Mount Elgon area during the colonial period, examine the effects of of protracted conflict on food security in Mount Elgon area during the post-colonial period, and to evaluate the mitigation and intervention measures put in place to resolve protracted conflict and food insecurity in Mount Elgon area during the post-colonial period. Literature review focused on studies that relate directly or indirectly to the variables under study as supported by a theoretical framework. The study adopted theoretical work of Edward Azar’s (1990) Protracted Social Conflict (PSC) and Thomas Robert Malthus’s (1798) Neo- Malthusian Theory. The study population comprised 180 respondents drawn from Bukusu and Sabaot communities i.e. NGAOs , politicians, police officers, women group, youths, community  elders,  Civil  society  members,  members  of  churches,  and  community members. This being a historical study historical research design was employed to suit the study with qualitative methods being used to facilitate the process of data collection and analysis. Primary data was collected using interview schedules, Questionnaires, and Focus Group Discussions. Archival data was collected from Kenya National Archives whereas secondary data was sought from official reports, published, and unpublished thesis, books and journal articles. Qualitative data was analyzed based on themes and presented through narratives and verbatim quotations. Key findings indicated that colonial policies and post- independence political dynamics exacerbated ethnic tensions and competition over land resources.  Factors behind conflict included historical marginalization and uneven development, cattle rustling and the militarization of inter-ethnic relations, and disruption of traditional conflict resolution mechanisms among others.  The protracted conflicts severely   disrupted   agricultural   activities, leading   to   displacement, reduced   food production, and increased food insecurity. While various mitigation efforts were attempted, sustainable resolution remained elusive due to the complex historical and socio-political roots of the conflicts.   This research contributed to the historiography of inter-ethnic conflicts and food security challenges in Kenya. The findings have implications for conflict resolution approaches and food security policies in the Mount Elgon region and similar conflict-prone areas. The study concluded that conflicts have adverse effects on food security, escalating poverty, hunger and malnutrition, which affect Mount Elgon area and the poor   and   communities   disproportionately.   The   study recommended that the government should strengthen the indigenous justice systems, especially the council of elders, who played positive roles in conflict resolution. It should also establish better decentralized policies of sharing local resources equitably.