International Journal of Innovative Research and Knowledge Volume-6 Issue-5, May 2021 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE ISSN-2213-1356 www.ijirk.com A HISTORY OF CONFLICT BETWEEN NYARIBARI AND KITUTU SUB-CLANS AT KEROKA IN NYAMIRA AND KISII COUNTIES, KENYA, 1820 - 2017 Samuel Benn Moturi (MA-History), JARAMOGI OGINGA ODINGA, UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GESIAGA SECONDARY SCHOOL, P.O Box 840-40500 Nyamira-Kenya Dr. Isaya Oduor Onjala (PhD-History), JARAMOGI OGINGA ODINGA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, P.O Box 210-40601, Bondo-Kenya Dr. Fredrick Odede (PhD-History), JARAMOGI OGINGA ODINGA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, P.O Box 210-40601, Bondo-Kenya ABSTRACT A lot of research done on conflict and disputes between communities, nations and organized groups across the globe. Little, however done on conflicts involving smaller groups are within larger communities. The overall image that emerges, therefore, is that conflicts and disputes only occur between communities, nations, and specially organized groups, a situation which is not fully correct, as far as the occurrence of conflict is concerned. This study looked at a unique situation of conflict between Nyaribari and Kitutu who share the same origin, history and cultural values yet have been engaged in conflict since the 19th century. The purpose of this study was to trace the history of the Sweta Clan and relationship between Nyaribari and Kitutu sub-clans. Examine the nature, source and impact of the disputes among the Sweta at Keroka town and its environ, which www.ijirk.com 57 | P a g e International Journal of Innovative Research and Knowledge ISSN-2213-1356 forms the boundary between the two groups and discuss the strategies employed to cope with conflicts and disputes between the two parties. The study employed a descriptive research design and the conflict theory guided the study. A sample of 100 respondents selected through purposive and snowballing sampling technique utilized. The sample consisted of 25 Key Informant Interviews, 25 oral interviews and 50 participants all set in different five focus group discussions. Two of the FGD were from different clan elders in Nyamira and Kisii, while one was for the urban dwellers in Keroka Township and two each from the officials of Kisii and Nyamira counties. The FGD of county officials helped the research address the bias of the respondents from the two sub clans on which the study focused. Analysis done used both qualitative and quantitative methods, which applied thematic and simple statistical techniques respectively; to organize both primary and secondary data. The information obtained indicates that conflict between Nyaribari and Kitutu started earlier during their migration and settlement in the Gusii highlands. The conflicts sustained at the Keroka boundary area due to historical memories and competition for resources. The impact of these conflicts managed through traditional conflict resolution strategies and modern conflict resolution strategies over the years. It is, therefore, recommended that the government, and all other stakeholders, should be aware of the existence of micro-level conflicts between groups within communities as these have the potential of affecting socio-economic and political development just as macro-level conflicts involving larger communities. In addition, there is a need for public education so that communities make use of historical facts and events positively. Lastly, more research recommended understanding micro level conflict that may have affected more sub-clans within the Abagusii community and even other ethnic groups in Kenya. KEYWORDS: Conflict: A state often opens with prolonged fights in a battle or war within which in-groups share their certain resources and in time lead to wrangles. Resources: Available supply of materials, goods, or services which often time competed for in the context of ownership by the two residents of the town. Sub-clans: Clan may contain sub-classification of clans, which are usually called subclans. Counties: A county is a geographical region of a country used for administrative or other purposes in certain modern nations. Other Words: Sweta; Keroka; Kitutu; Nyaribari; Nyamira and Kisii. ABBREVIATIONS: AU African Union AUBP African Union Boundaries Programs BC Before Christ CIAGK Community Initiative Action Group Kenya CBD Central Business District DRC Democratic Republic of Congo GDP Gross Domestic Product GCCT Global Coalition for Conflict Translation IEBC Independent Electoral and Boundary commission ICC International Criminal Court MCA Member of County Assembly MCRS Modern Conflict Resolution Strategies NCCK National Councils of Churches of Kenya www.ijirk.com 58 | P a g e International Journal of Innovative Research and Knowledge Volume-6 Issue-5, May 2021 N-K Nyaribari and Kitutu sub-clans NLTO Native Lands Trust Ordinance NGO Non-Governmental Organizations KII Key Interview Informant OAU Organization of African Union OI Oral Informant PLO Palestine Liberation Organization RCM Roman Catholic Mission TCRS Traditional Conflict Resolution Strategies USAID United States Agency for International Development UNEP United Nations Environment Programs UN United Nations WDR World Development Reports FGD Focus Group Discussion Background to the Study The new world order based upon the western world state structure is in which the basic attributes are boundary. In this context, boundaries are relevant since they define the sovereignty of a country by defining its territorial and jurisdictional domain. Boundaries define and separate countries, states, regions, communities and clans to sub clans among others. In some circumstances, have been a source of peaceful co-existence and at worst have been a source of bloodshed or conflicts. They are relevant since they define the sovereignty of a country by defining its territorial and jurisdictional domain. Boundaries also establish and delegate national identity beyond this and therefore are borders of nation-states, which place individuals under one body determining their lifestyles and national culture; including language, fate and privileges. This makes boundary conflicts a focus of political concern in the world over the years. At least some border disputes occur in most countries and are global (Blanchard, 2010). Among other things, these conflicts are caused by disputes over boundaries linked to certain resources found along such boundaries. According to Jorge (2010), such conflicts have had devastating effects on social, political and economic relations. Between states and communities around the world are with limited resources in particular (Nindi, 2007). Even the most developed countries like the United States of America and over the years, have faced such border disputes. Leading to the establishment of a National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence was to deal with all conflicts identified in various parts of the world. The nation used what it called "Violence Prevention Mechanisms" with a task force based on the historical and comparative viewpoints of a 1969 study. Researchers have pointed out that disputes have been defined on race relations, interests of internal workers and were revolutionary changes (Hassan, 2014). Kay (2001), Ledrich (1995) and Princeton (2016) speak of similar circumstances in Latin America where as is usual. In other parts of the world wars erupted due to boundary disputes triggered by a multiplicity of factors Princeton. In the Latin America, Ledrich (1995) observed that the main drivers of conflicts on the continent are lack of cross- cultural training among communities and to some degree, states are weaknesses. Ledrich (1995) further indicates that the main drivers of the conflict on the continent are the lack of cross-cultural training as among the Latin American communities as at some degree of state weaknesses. Moreover, colonial legacies and independence wars in Latin America have led to clashes between the same clans (Princeton, 2016). www.ijirk.com 59 | P a g e International Journal of Innovative Research and Knowledge ISSN-2213-1356 Conflicts in Asia categorized as the world's largest running and lasting for multiple generations based on a study (Parks, Colletta & Oppenheim 2013). The region is prone to sub-national conflicts that are characterized by struggles within states to control sub-national territories. In terms of performance, Johnson (2007) noted that these conflicts have a negative impact on development and state capacity. Over the year’s national, inter-clan and intra- clan conflicts witnessed in Asia, (Adam & Anwar 2005, Venkatasawmy 2015 and Mkutu 2001). With such causes primarily related to the resources needed are by neighboring and competing communities and/or nations. This was affected by the arrival of the colonial authorities in Africa and the drawing of arbitrary borders that ignored the social aspects of such borders. During and after the colonial period, this situation led to a number of conflicts and disputes (Shah, 2010). Africa is characterized by many boundary politics and conflicts (Achankeng, 2013). The beginning of most of these conflicts is the arbitrary borders which were created by colonial authorities but ignored the social aspects of such borders Shah. The current and past inter-state borders, inter-clan, and intra- clan border conflicts explained by boundaries and generated by various colonial powers that operated in Africa. Discussed later in the literature review in