ELDERS-LED SPIRITUAL MEDIATION AS AN ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION MECHANISM (ADR) IN CONFLICTS BETWEEN SAMBURU EAST SUB-COUNTY AND TURKANA COMMUNITY IN ISIOLO COUNTY, KENYA.

Abstract

In Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands, 85% of pastoral household experience resource-related violence annually. Despite government interventions, inter-communal land conflicts between Samburu East Sub-County and the Turkana community in Isiolo County persist, driven by competition over pasture, water, livestock theft and boundary disputes. Formal legal systems have proven inadequate due to procedural delays, high costs and limited cultural sensitivity. This study examined elder-led spiritual mediation as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism in these conflicts. The objectives were to: examine the nature of inter-communal land conflicts, identify and analyse existing mediation approaches, evaluate the contribution of elders-led spiritual mediation on conflict resolution, and propose integration strategies into ADR frameworks. The study was anchored in Peacebuilding Theory, Transformative Mediation Theory and the Natural Resource Conflict Triangle (NRCT) Theory. A descriptive mixed-methods design was adopted. The target population was 286 respondents; a sample of 146 was selected using Yamane’s formula and stratified random sampling. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, one-sample t-tests, chi-square, Pearson correlation and multiple regression. Qualitative data from 18 key informant interviews and 6 Focus Group Discussions (FDGs) were analysed thematically. Descriptive results showed that indigenous mechanisms (elder-led mediation, M=4.36) were rated higher than government-led approaches (M=3.92). Inferential analysis revealed that elders-led spiritual mediation significantly predicted conflict resolution (R2=0.714, F=244.316, p<0.001), with elders’ authority as the strongest predictor (β=0.384). Integration strategies explained 76.0% of sustainable peacebuilding (R2=0.760), with inclusive participation most influential (β=0.336). Qualitative accounts confirmed that dialogue, reconciliation ceremonies and early elder intervention restore trust and prevent violence. The study concludes that elders-led spiritual mediation is effective and culturally legitimate but requires hybrid integration with formal ADR systems. Recommendations include policy recognition, capacity building for elders and inclusive participation of youth and women. The proposed integrated model offers a replicable framework for sustainable peacebuilding in pastoralist settings.