The Relationship Between Cross-Border Conflicts and Food Security in Narok County, Kenya

• Jedidah Chepkoech Kiget

  National Defence University -Kenya

  Author

• Peterlinus Ouma Odote

  National Defence University - Kenya

  Author

• Lucy W. Maina

  Kenyatta University

  Author

This research investigates the relationship between cross-border conflicts and food security in Narok County, Kenya, with a specific objective of understanding the nature of cross-border conflict and its impact and evaluating mitigation actions for food security. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 160 participants, including residents and administrative officers, through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The study identifies three primary conflict drivers: land disputes, resource competition, and cultural tensions, which collectively disrupt food systems. These conflicts significantly impact food availability, access, and quality, further destabilising local food markets and increasing the vulnerability of the county’s population to food insecurity. The research also evaluates the effectiveness of ongoing mitigation efforts, such as the Maasai Livelihood Support Initiative and the Water Harvesting and Irrigation Scheme, in addressing food security challenges in conflict-prone areas. While these programs have shown positive results, the study identifies key challenges to long-term success, including a lack of sustainable solutions, limited community involvement, inconsistent funding, and fragile trust in local authorities. The findings emphasise the need for an integrated approach to conflict resolution and food security. Recommendations include addressing the root causes of conflicts through legal reforms and land management policies, improving food production and market access infrastructure, and increasing community participation in program design and implementation. Additionally, enhancing communication and transparency between authorities and local populations is crucial for fostering trust and ensuring the sustainability of interventions. The study advocates for a community-driven, holistic approach to developing resilient food systems that can withstand the pressures of cross-border conflicts.

1. Jedidah Chepkoech Kiget, National Defence University -Kenya

   Jedidah Chepkoech Kiget is a professional with over 12 years of experience in humanitarian aid, education, and disaster management. She holds a Master’s in Crisis Response and Disaster Management from IPSTC, NDU-K and is skilled in program planning, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Currently a teacher of English and Literature at Kaplong Boys High School under TSC, Jedidah is also an active volunteer with the Kenya Red Cross, dedicated to community empowerment and education.

2. Peterlinus Ouma Odote , National Defence University - Kenya

   Dr Peterlinus Ouma Odote is a senior lecturer at the National Defence University Kenya, specializing in international relations, diplomacy, and security studies. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the National Security: Journal of National Defence University Kenya and heads academic programs at the Joint Command and Staff College. Dr. Odote holds a PhD in Diplomacy and International Studies from the University of Nairobi and a Master’s in Peace Studies from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

3. Lucy W. Maina, Kenyatta University

   Prof. Lucy W. Maina (Ph.D., OGW) is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the Department of Sociology, Gender, and Development. She is the immediate former Dean of the School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies at Kenyatta University. She has over 25 years of experience in higher education, which includes programme development and training in Military and strategic studies, security and peace studies, International Relations areas as well as Corrections. She is an avid researcher and has published widely in peer-reviewed journal outlets.

• pdf

Copyright (c) 2025 Jedidah Chepkoech Kiget, Peterlinus Ouma Odote , Lucy W. Maina (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.