Challenges in the management of land disputes and their impact on social cohesion in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

Land disputes are a persistent and complex challenge in Kenya, particularly in multi-ethnic and agriculturally rich regions such as Uasin Gishu County. These disputes not only hinder socio-economic development but also undermine social cohesion, creating fertile ground for mistrust, ethnic polarization and violence. This qualitative study assesses the challenges the management of land disputes and their impacts on social cohesion in Uasin Gishu County. Guided by conflict theory. this study relied on in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and document reviews involving local administrators, community elders, land officials, civil society actors and residents of Uasin Gishu County. A total of 45 participants were selected purposive sampling comprising community elders, community administrators, land officers, representatives of civil society organizations, members of peace committees, and officials from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission. Qualitative data obtained from interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and document reviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that land dispute management is constrained by bureaucratic inefficiencies, corruption and poor governance, ambiguous and complex legal frameworks, political interference and limited public awareness of resolution mechanisms. Socially, land disputes weaken trust, erode inter-ethnic cooperation, disrupt livelihoods and heighten the potential for violence, especially where historical grievances intersect with contemporary land pressures. The research concluded that effective land dispute management requires coordinated institutional reforms, transparent adjudication processes and community-driven approaches that promote inclusivity, dialogue and trust-building. Recommendations included strengthening alternative dispute resolution systems, streamlining land registration processes, improving public education on land rights and insulating dispute resolution from political manipulation. These insights contribute to the discourse on land governance and peacebuilding in Kenya and offer lessons for managing land-related conflicts in other volatile multi-ethnic regions.