Effects of Social and Community issues in Inter-Ethnic Conflicts on Economic Growth in Muhoroni and Tinderet sub-counties in Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: Inter-ethnic conflicts have had a negative impact on the global economic growth. In Africa, over $ 120 billion has been on spent on the vice thus affecting heragricultural sector consequently subjecting over 198,000,000 people to starvation and food insecurity. The Government efforts in mitigating the vice has bone no fruits as the number of deaths keeps on rising from an estimate of  7, 9 and 13 people in 2012, 2014 and 2016 respectively.The main objective was to assess the social and community effects of inter-ethnic conflicts on economic growth in Kenya. Methodology: Karl Marx’sConflict theory was adopted. A correlational research design was adopted.A population of 220 was considered. A response rate of 80.7% was realized thus affirming the significance and relevance of the data.The findings revealed that social issues had a negative effect with significant contribution to the economic growth (β=..666, p<.05) while community issues had a slightly weaker significant effect (β=.198,p<.05).Social and community issues of Inter-ethnic Conflicts had an effect on economic growth and accounted for 58.1% significant variance in economic growth (R square =.581, F(2, 217)=261.296, p=.000). Findings: The study concluded that the inter-ethnic conflicts in Nyando, Muhoroni and Tinderet sub-counties were the root causes of the stagnated economy. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommended various approaches namely enactment of legislation that can enforce punitive actions against the perpetrators; adopting multiagency approach in curbing the vice; stakeholder involvement and engagement in finding a lasting solution to inter-ethnic conflicts; the national government, lands commission and the members of the community explores ways to deal with matters land. There are efforts by the national government to foster peace through the administrative units and the county governments so as to avoid ethnicity. Significant progress has also been observed over the government’s commitment to narrow down to perpetrators of violence and hate speech causing fights. Plans that are put in place to oversee execution of justice should be enhanced and effective to ensure persons that become victims receive justice. The findings may aide the economic and peace integration commission stakeholders in advising potential investors as well as the government on promoting peace in the area. Scholars could also benefit by coming up with a model and more information in the area for guiding new researchers.