EXAMINATION OF THE GENDERED ASPECTS OF NATURAL RESOURCE CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN RIVER RONGAI AREA, NAKURU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

One of the major challenges in the world is the natural resource-based conflicts. In other parts, conflicts over land, water and other natural resources are induced by an aspect of competition. This paper has examined gendered issues of natural resources conflict management (NRCM) in the River Rongai region of Nakuru County, Kenya where there have been intermittent conflicts over resource sharing of water. It particularly examines the way men and women perceive and react to conflict, involve themselves in conflict management, the success of the current community-based strategies and the role of gender role in conflict management outcomes. Environmental feminist views that were summarized by Argawal led the study and used the Thomas and Kilmann conflict model to question the different types of conflict resolution styles in gendered experiences of resource conflict. The research design used was explanatory sequential mixed methods research design in order to gather data on 154 respondents. The multistage sampling technique was used to get the sample size and this was suitable since the population had a geographical dispersion, and different stakeholder groups were involved. Moreover, purposive sampling was used to pick key informants and focus group members were purposively picked among the established community groups. The participant observation, focus group discussions and surveys were used as data collection methods. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse quantitative data, and thematic coding and analysis were done on qualitative data to determine patterns. The result showed that there was a difference in the way men and women interacted in conflicts whereby the women tended towards the collaborative and avoidance styles and men tended to the competing and confrontational styles. These socioeconomic disparities and other issues, particularly between upstream users and downstream users, led to a feeling of injustice and an increased conflict. Despite these challenges, the study identified informal community efforts including dialogue, rotational water-sharing agreements, and alternative water sources as effective grassroots strategies for conflict management. Findings from this research are expected to strengthen local communities’ conflict management mechanisms and to promote gender-inclusive peace- building strategies. Additionally, the study will inform policy by indicating how gender- responsive approaches can contribute to sustainable conflict management. The study offers practical, lessons in gendered approaches to natural resource conflict management and policy recommendations for other regions in Kenya and beyond, that face similar natural resource conflicts.