Anthropology of ethnic conflict in Kenya

This book argues that ethnic conflict in Africa in general and in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya in particular is inevitable as far as these ills remain unchecked. It is through this backdrop that this study tries to examine the anthropological meaning of ethnicity as well as the ambiguous role ethnicity plays in social conflict and the various groups that are involved. Previous to the 2007 election Kenya was considered as a bestion of political and economic stability in Africa. For this reason this thesis offers an analysis of the outbreak of the post-2007 election violence. For example it will examine the variables of ethnic conflict in Kenya, namely, historical, demographic, political and economic diversities. It will examine political and economic dominance of particular ethnic groups, namely, the Kikuyu. Although, ethnic conflict in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya remains a complex issue, this study will examine the anthropological perspective of ethnic conflict in Kenya by emphasising the case of the Kikuyu; analyse specific variables of ethnic conflict in Africa in general and Kenya in particular; and concludes with an anthropological discussion.