Role Of The Church In Conflict Resolution: A Case of Abagusii And Kipsigis Christians In Borabu-Sotik Border, Kenya

Abstract

Cross-border conflicts have long been a persistent issue in various parts of the world, including Africa. Particularly in Africa, countries like Rwanda, Burundi, Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Somalia, the Central African Republic, Mali, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Chad, and Uganda. Kenya, in particular, has witnessed its share of ethnic and community conflicts. This has continued despite efforts by the government and non-governmental organizations to establish preventive and peace initiatives. The Borabu- Sotik border has been a hotspot for such conflicts, marked by recurring disputes between the communities living there. Various mediation groups, peace committees, and police stations have been established to mitigate these conflicts, yet they persist. The persistence of these conflicts suggests that existing measures are insufficient and that new approaches are needed. This study therefore aims to assess the role of the church in managing these conflicts among the bordering communities in Borabu-Sotik, with a specific focus on: analyzing the nature and causes of conflict, identifying the strategies employed by the church, evaluating local church initiatives, and assessing the extent to which communal organized group prayer initiatives have contributed to conflict management in the region. The study was anchored on the Christian- Based Recovery Theory and Social Conflict Theory, which guided the analysis of the church's restorative role and the underlying dynamics of communal conflict, respectively. The study employed descriptive statistics and a qualitative research design. The research included all churches at the Borabu-Sotik border, including Seventh-day Adventist (SDA), Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG), and Catholic churches, among others. The population comprised 7,738 respondents from various churches. A sample of 392 respondents was selected using simple random and purposive sampling methods, including 35 church leaders and 357 church members. Stratified random sampling was used to select respondents, who were provided with questionnaires, while key informants, including Christian leaders, were interviewed. A pilot study was conducted at churches along the Borabu-Sotik border prior to the main data collection to test the validity and reliability of the research instruments, and necessary adjustments were made based on the results. Data collection tools included interview schedules for church leaders and questionnaires for church members. The study employed descriptive statistics, such as percentages, means, and standard deviations, to analyze the data using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The findings revealed that conflicts were primarily triggered by factors such as idle youth, land disputes, cattle rustling, and unemployment. The study also highlighted the significant role of local church organized prayer group initiatives, including prayer meetings, charitable activities, and Christian teachings, in enhancing social cohesion and conflict resolution. The findings further underscore the need for churches to strengthen mediation efforts and address the root causes of conflict, particularly among youth. Overall, this study demonstrates that churches significantly impact social cohesion and conflict resolution through charitable activities, community engagement, and interdenominational efforts along the Borabu-Sotik border. Further research should examine the church's role in addressing diverse conflicts across Kenya, including gender-based violence, pastoralist disputes, ethno-political tensions, and resource- related issues. Studies in other border regions beyond Borabu-Sotik would also strengthen the validity and generalizability of these findings.