FACTORS DETERMINING THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY LEADERS IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN NORTH EASTERN KENYA.

Abdikarim Ibrahim Abdow

PhD Student, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

P.O box 1106-70100, Garissa.

0721743000/0722574757/0733628239.

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CITATION: Abdow, A.I. (2015). Factors Determining the Role Of Community Leaders In Conflict Resolution In North Eastern Kenya. International journal of Finance and Accounting, 4 (4), 51-65.

ABSTRACT

This study examines factors determining the role of community leaders in conflict resolution in North Eastern Kenya. In the past three decades alone, an onslaught of increased clan hostility has transformed the region into a grisly crime zone. The wars that first stated in the late 80`s had resumed with revenge and the hopes for lasting unity hanging in the balance. In late 2008, rival clan members went on the rampage a broad daylight, maiming their own kin and relatives just in order to settle selfish tribal scores. About 21 were killed and scores of others injured. The purpose of the study was to examine factors determining the role of community leaders in conflict resolution whose objective was to determine the early warning indicators of conflict, determine the knowledge and skills of community leaders in conflict resolution, Identify the strategic leadership of community leaders in conflict resolution, determine the level of acceptance by the community in conflict resolution. The study adopted descriptive survey design to achieve the research objective from a population of 105 community leaders through purposeful sampling with a sample size of 40. Questionnaire, interview guides, observation schedule and document analysis was used to collect data. Research found that leadership involvement is a critical component in conflict resolution by increasing cooperation among communities and deepens their relationship by addressing the conditions that led to dispute, fostering positive attitudes and allaying mistrust through reconciliation initiatives, peace building or strengthening the institutions and processes through which the parties interact.

Keywords: conflict resolution, strategic leadership, community leaders and dispute.

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