The Catholic Justice And Peace Commission And Conflicts Management In Turkana County.1960- 2015

This chapter provides a general background to the study. It concludes by examining the reality of conflicts as experienced from four levels; global, regional, sub-regional and local perspectives. These levels of conflicts transformed in nature and frequency throughout this period due to emerging issues in the world social system. Conflict is a manifest action of structural inequity and unequal distribution of power and resources (Nathan1998). It is a situation where at least two identifiable groups in conscious opposition to each other, as they pursue incompatible goals.

 Conflicts are common phenomena in many regions of Africa, especially in dry lands, areas with scarce natural resources. Global environmental change coupled with population increase has led to unprecedented demand for resources (Dyson and Dyson, 1980). The Turkana, Pokot and Malire communities are pastoralists inhabiting the extreme North Rift region. They have frequently engaged in conflicts and clashes over animals, pasture, water and protracted violent ethnic oriented conflicts (McCabe 2004). According to Mwaniki et al

(2007) this area is characterized by high poverty levels and illiteracy, with life expectancy of

57 years among the Turkana and 66years among the Pokot respectively. In addition, Goldsmith, Ahmed and Babiker (2007), Greiner, (2013) argue that cattle rustling bears a histo-cultural face among these communities, pointing out that since 1992, the activity became commercialized.