Abstract

Africa is in the midst of challenges emanating from globalization, wars and intractable conflicts that have negative effects. Intractable conflicts in west Pokot and Turkana counties have provided greater challenges to conflict management efforts in the region. The overall objective of this study was to; establish challenges facing management of intractable conflicts in west Pokot and Turkana counties. Specific objectives were to; identify effects of managing intractable conflicts, establish methods used in managing intractable conflicts and determine factors influencing challenges facing management of intractable conflicts in west Pokot and Turkana counties. Research question was; what were the challenges facing management of intractable conflicts in west Pokot and Turkana counties? Descriptive and correlational study designs that were cross sectional in nature were used. Total study population was 893,779, probability and non-probability sampling methods and random and non-random sampling techniques were used and sample size of 380 was determined. Data were collected and analyzed using computer packages SPSS version 17 and excel. Chi square tests revealed that there were significant differences of involvement of youths compared a long side other people in promoting intractable conflicts. Hence they were negatively contributing to sustainable development. Chi square tests established that there were significant differences among the strategies used in managing intractable conflicts. Other strategies were significant a long side preaching peace and were positively contributing to sustainable development. Chi square tests revealed that there were significant differences among causes of failures of communities to resolve intractable conflicts. Other causes failures were intractable conflicts being source of wealth that negatively contributed to sustainable development in west Pokot and Turkana counties.