From Resource Scarcity to Political Triggers: Explaining Inter-Clan Conflict in Embu County, Kenya

Abstract

Inter-clan conflict remains a persistent challenge in many parts of Kenya, yet existing studies often examine its drivers in isolation. This study investigates the interaction between structural conditions and political triggers in shaping inter-clan conflict between the Ndamata and Mururi clans in Embu County, Kenya. Drawing on Resource Scarcity Theory and Conflict Transformation Theory, the study adopts a mixed-methods approach combining survey data (N = 292) and qualitative interviews with key stakeholders. The findings reveal that resource scarcity and historical land grievances constitute the underlying structural conditions of conflict, while political competition—particularly during elections—acts as a critical trigger that activates these tensions. Descriptive results indicate that elections are perceived as the most significant driver of conflict, followed by competition over resources and land disputes. Qualitative evidence further demonstrates how political actors mobilize communities and intensify perceptions of exclusion during electoral periods. Importantly, the study finds no statistically significant differences between the Ndamata and Mururi clans in their perceptions of conflict triggers, suggesting that inter-clan conflict is shaped by shared structural conditions rather than divergent group-specific grievances. Contextual factors such as youth unemployment and social media are found to function as enabling conditions that amplify, rather than independently generate, conflict dynamics. The study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that inter-clan conflict is best understood as the product of interacting structural inequalities and situational triggers. It underscores the need for integrated policy responses that address both the underlying causes of conflict and the political processes that activate them.