The Impact of Resource Utilization Practices on Inter-Ethnic Conflicts in Nakuru County, Kenya

Globally, conflicts arising from resource use are increasingly becoming common. This generated inter-ethnic violence that has caused death, strained relations among communities, led to loss of property, displacements, slowed economic growth, and increased sex-related crimes. Despite the government, local communities, and NGOs, among other institutions, putting effort into minimizing conflicts, they have yet to find a lasting solution. The overarching objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of resource-use practices on inter-ethnic conflicts in Nakuru County, Kenya. The study was conducted in Nakuru County and targeted household heads, government officials, civil society organizations, and community members. There were 246 respondents, taken as the sample size for the study. The study found that the major effects of conflicts were loss of life, displacement, loss of property, ethnic differences, and low income. The study concludes that the effects of resource-use practices on interethnic conflicts include loss of life, population displacement, discrimination, loss of property, and loss of market for goods, all of which have a significant impact on the economic status of the affected community. The research suggests that the consequences of resource-use practices on inter-ethnic disputes in the study area should be improved both at the national and county levels. This would make it possible for the people living in the area to advance economically.