Dissertation Proposal Defense: Augostine Ekeno

Shepherding Peace: The Role of Religious Leaders in Conflict Resolution Among Kenya’s Pastoralist Communities.

This study examines the largely overlooked role of religious leaders in conflict resolution among pastoralist communities in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL), where persistent cattle rustling, resource competition, and intercommunal violence threaten stability. While non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, and grassroots initiatives have implemented various peacebuilding efforts, these interventions often face limitations such as bias, militaristic approaches, and insufficient community involvement. Although religious leaders from Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religions (ATR) wield significant influence and actively engage in local peace processes, their specific contributions to conflict resolution have received limited scholarly attention.

The study is situated in five counties: Turkana, Samburu, Isiolo, Marsabit, and Baringo. These counties were selected due to their high incidence of conflict and accessibility. The study employs a qualitative methodology and draws on the perspectives of religious leaders, community members, and local officials to provide an in-depth understanding of religious leaders' conflict resolution strategies. By focusing on the experiences and interventions of Christian, Muslim, and ATR leaders, the research aims to address a critical gap in empirical literature and inform more inclusive approaches to conflict resolution in pastoralist contexts.

The study’s conceptual framework integrates Social Identity Theory (SIT) and Structural-Functionalist Theory. SIT explains how religious affiliations shape group cohesion and intergroup tensions, particularly in environments characterized by historical grievances and resource scarcity. It highlights the importance of addressing identity dynamics, such as ingroup favoritism and the renegotiation of group boundaries, for sustainable peace. Structural-Functionalist Theory emphasizes religion’s role in promoting social integration, moral order, and collective solidarity through shared beliefs and practices. Together, these frameworks enable a comprehensive analysis of how religious leaders and institutions can both mitigate and, in some cases, exacerbate conflict depending on the socio-political context.

The central research question explores how religious leaders from Christianity, Islam, and ATR contribute to conflict resolution among ASAL pastoralist communities. Sub-questions investigate the specific strategies employed, the challenges encountered, and the perceived effectiveness of their interventions. Through this analysis, the study seeks to enhance the understanding of the conditions under which religious leadership can serve as a catalyst for peace.

Thus, this research addresses a significant gap by highlighting the agency of religious leaders in pastoralist conflict settings. It offers empirical insights into their roles, strategies, and impacts, with implications for developing more comprehensive and context-sensitive peacebuilding frameworks in Kenya and similar regions. The findings are expected to inform practitioners, policymakers, and scholars concerned with conflict resolution, interfaith engagement, and community resilience in areas characterized by chronic insecurity and complexity.