Kenya: Shalom (SCCRR) Adopts a Community Based Approach to the Management of Natural Resource Based Conflicts in Kenya

May 23, 2018 | Shalom Center
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Conflict associated with natural environmental resources have in the recent past been a characteristic of life in most arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya. In these regions of Kenya, climate change has led to an exacerbation of extreme weather conditions. While on one hand, dangerous rainfalls have led to devastating impacts on populations, on the other hand frequent and prolonged droughts have led to reduced water levels and the resultant depletion of pastures. This has further led to food insecurity often leading to severe famine in a region where the population depends on pastoralism and agro-pastoralism as the means of livelihood.  In worse situations, famine has caused the death of people and livestock, increased the number of malnourished children and hindered development due to lack of adequate human resources. All these challenges contribute to complex conflicts with major natural resource-based components compounded by institutional neglect, structural violence and visionary leadership grounded in the common good and equality for all citizens.