Role of youths in conflict resolution in Kenya: a case of Muhoroni and Tinderet Sub-counties
Date
2022
Authors
Chegero, Catherine Minayo
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze the role of the youth in conflict resolution in the Muhoroni and Tinderet sub-counties. The study aimed to change the tendency of disproportionately placing the burdens of conflicts, war and violence on youths and instead acknowledge the important roles they play in conflict resolution and upholding peace. Specifically, the study sought to determine the role of youths in conflict resolution in Muhoroni and Tinderet sub-counties, to determine the challenges faced by the youth initiatives at the center of conflict resolution and peace-building in Muhoroni and Tinderet sub-counties, and to determine the strategies that can be adopted to promote the participation and contribution of the youth to conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Muhoroni and Tinderet sub-counties. The study used an explanatory research design. The target population comprised the youth in Muhoroni and Tinderet Sub counties and various officers in charge of youth groups in the two sub-counties. The study used cluster sampling to sample the youths to participate in the study. The officers in charge of the youth groups as well as the administrative leaders were sampled using a snowball sampling method. Data collection was done using both a questionnaire and an interview guide. The questionnaire was used to collect data from the youths. An interview guide was used to collect data from officers in charge of youth affairs. The study used secondary sources such as journals and publications. Quantitative data collected using questionnaires will be analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences using descriptive and factor analysis methods. Quantitative findings were presented in form of frequency and percentage tables and figures. Data collected using interview guides were analyzed using the thematic analysis method. Based on the analysis findings, the study found out that the youths have a crucial role to play in conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Muhoroni and Tinderet sub-counties. However, participation in conflict resolution and peacebuilding was found to be low. The key challenges identified as hindrances to youth participation in conflict resolution and peacebuilding included poor perceptions and attitudes towards the youth that consider them as inexperienced on matters of conflict resolution, poor cultural beliefs, the poor economic situation of the youths, religious beliefs and poor education level. On the strategies that can be adopted to promote the participation of the youths in conflict resolution and peace building, the study found out that the key strategies that can be used to foster youths participating in conflict resolution and peacebuilding include youth empowerment, civic education and awareness creation, the preoccupation of the youths through such activities as sports, and creation of conflict prevention and resolution program that give the responsibilities of the youth. Based on the findings, the youths are recommended to reevaluate their understanding of their leadership capacity and acknowledge that they have a key role to play in conflict resolution. Also, they are recommended to forge, maintain and consolidate ties among themselves through the creation of effective networks for them to effectively partake in conflict resolution, peacebuilding and other matters in society. The government is recommended to make sustained commitments to rebuild the young people’s trust and confidence in participative forums and leadership positions. In this regard, the government is recommended to promote the inclusion of the young in peacebuilding initiatives.
Description
A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master’s degree in Public Policy and Management at Strathmore University.