The Influence of Distribution of County Revenue Allocation from Central Government to Sub Counties, on Inter-Clan Conflict in Mandera County, Kenya

Abstract

Mandera County has been a hotbed of the recurrent inter-clan conflict between Garre, Degodia and Muralle communities that erupts from time to time. Ethnic conflicts in the region have been associated with the disposal of scarce resources and the people's nomadic tendencies. Manderais characterized by long spell of droughts which make the residents encroach rival clans' community land, in search of water points and pastures for their starving herds, inadvertently sparking ethnic conflicts. That has hampered the County's economic progress as investors and professionals have shied away from investing and working in the area due to the rampant insecurity and hostility. The objective of the study was to examine the distribution of County revenue allocation from central government to Sub-counties and its contribution to the inter-clan conflict in Mandera County, Kenya. The study was guided by Hommer Dixion theory on conflict and the Marxist Theory that purports that most conflicts in the world are either triggered by quest for control over limited resources or as a result of oppression of the vulnerable group by a powerful minority. This study found out that enormous County revenue allocation from central government is a contributing factor to the recurrence of inter-clan conflict as rival clan competes for political representation so as to control the County resources. This was in line with the research question which sought to establish whether enormous resources flowing to the County from the central government contribute to recurrence of inter-clan conflict in the wake of devolution. In order to achieve its objective; a mixed methodology approach that incorporated exploratory and descriptive research design was adopted; as it not only provided the researcher with a greater breadth of perspectives around county revenue allocation but also enhanced reliability of the research instruments and procedures. The data was collected using questionnaires and FGDs. The data was analyzed quantitatively using SPSS. The result established that disparities in distribution of county revenue allocation in Mandera County is a contributing factor to the inter-clan conflict as clans strive for political dominance and relevancy. Over time this feeling of insecurity has bred mistrust among rival clans escalating conflicts to modern times. To alleviate interclan conflict brought about by disparities in county revenue allocation this study recommends that Mandera County leadership should ensure that there is transparency, equity and accountability in the manner in which resources are distributed among all regions in the County. It should depart from clan based politics to agenda based politics grounded on inclusivity of all clans.