Effects of Stakeholders Participation in the Inter-Ethnic Conflicts and Economic Growth in Nyando, Muhoroni and Tinderet Sub-Counties

The impact of ethnic conflicts to economic growth has been of great concerns by many Nations globally. Africa is the most affected continent in regard to conflict due to many nations within the continent experiencing numerous conflicts either within themselves or across their borders. Further, inter-ethnic conflict cost the Continent a tune of $ 120 billion, specifically affecting the agricultural sector subjecting over 198, 000, 000 people to starvation and food insecurity. Government effort in addressing the issue has been in vain as the number of deaths continued to rise tremendously from an estimate of 7, 9 and 13 people in 2012, 2014 and 2016 respectively. Further, massive destruction on property since 2012 has increased the rate of poverty, illiteracy, insecurity and communicable diseases. This has raised the concerns about the governments ability in mitigating the vice. Previous studies in Kenya have focused on relationships between inter-ethnic conflicts, power and sharing of government resources. However, little research has been done on inter-ethnic conflicts with stability, security, mobility and morbidity. The main objective was to determine stakeholders participation in the inter-ethnic conflicts on economic growth in Nyando, Muhoroni and Tinderet sub-counties. Conflict theory as propounded by Karl Marx was adopted. Correlation survey design and a population of 220 were used. It was a census study with response rate at 75.7 %. The results indicates that there is a positive significant relationship between inter-ethnic conflicts and economic growth after controlling for the effect of stakeholder participation (r=.701, p=.000). The study further indicates that stakeholder participation is correlated with economic growth (R=.330) accounts for 10.9 % change in economic growth (R2=.109), a value that is significant, (F (1, 218) =46.091, p=.000). Finally, the net effect of inter-ethnic conflicts, which is the center of interest in the study, was obtained by subtracting the R2 value of stakeholder participation from the total R2 value of both variables to obtain an R2 change value of 0.439, implying that after control of stakeholder participation, inter-ethnic conflicts accounted for 43.9 % change in economic growth. The study recommends that all stakeholders ranging from the national government, the lands commission, the community leaders/elders, and the British government which colonized Kenya be engaged in finding a lasting solution to land issues. Besides these, the National Cohesion and Integration body should cascade its structures down to local councils to counter incitements, hate speech, and ethnicity. The national government should demobilize, rehabilitate, and reintegrate all existing and known militia groups. The structures responsible for justice be made more efficient to ensure justice is realized among the victims of inter-ethnic conflicts at same time parliament enact a legislation that will see to it that politicians, once elected, are transferable so as to encourage integration. Lastly, the members of the community should be sensitized on the effects of outdated cultural practices.