The Link Between Livelihood Options and Conflict Dynamism Within Kerio Valley Delta, Kenya

The demographic consequences of conflict and violence in the developing world are receiving increased attention and so is conflict in Kenya. Although Kenya is considered peaceful, a closer scrutiny reveals an unprecedented wave of internal and cross-border conflicts. However, to what extent livelihood options have impacted the dynamics of conflict in the Kerio Valley Delta remains significantly uninvestigated; particularly now that the conflict has escalated and is committed with more creativity and sophistication. The study thus, sought to establish the relationship between livelihood options and conflict dynamism within Kerio Valley Delta, Kenya. Two theories, the Sustainable livelihood model and the conflict transformation theory anchored the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design to target the community members in the in the Kerio Valley Delta. The sample size was calculated by getting 30% of the target population. Snowball sampling was used based on the acquaintances who know the resource persons from the community. This study utilized questionnaires and interview schedule to get relevant data from the respondents. The study used inferential analysis (Pearson's' correlations and logistic regression) techniques to analyze the quantitative elements of the data received from the questionnaires categorized per objective. The results show that insufficient livelihood assets, strategies and outcomes created an enhanced influence on conflicts in the Kerio Valley Delta. The study thus recommends that a systematic and concretized framework to deal with the causes, nature and underpinnings of conflict should be created. The inhabitants should also be empowered to progress in their livelihood status to decrease the chances for conflicts.