Resource Competition and Conflicts Triggered by Climate Change in the Turkana Kenya- Ilemi Triangle Region Analysis

This study examines the link between climate change driven resource competition and conflicts in the Turkana-Ilemi Triangle region, with a focus on the broader peace governance dilemma in the Horn of Africa. The objectives of the research are to investigate how these factors exacerbate conflicts and weaken national capacities The research employs semi-structured interviews and self-administered questionnaires targeting government officials, NGO representatives, and community members. Qualitative data from interviews and open-ended questions are analyzed thematically, while quantitative data from closed-ended items are examined using descriptive and inferential statistics via SPSS. Findings highlight that regional and bilateral initiatives such as the Horn of Africa Initiative (2014), Ethiopia-Kenya Special Status Agreement (2012), and Kenya-Uganda MoU (2019) have advanced cross-border cooperation, resource access, and security. Nevertheless, persistent climate shocks, recurrent droughts, and insecurity in borderlands continue to fuel instability. Weak governance, structural inequalities, and limited institutional capacity amplify the region’s vulnerability to climate-induced conflict. The study concludes that without strengthened governance, improved resource management, and deeper community engagement especially through the involvement of elders in disarmament conflicts are likely to intensify. Effective adaptation measures, including vocational training, crop insurance, secure land rights, and integrated climate-risk considerations in peacebuilding, are essential to building resilience. Addressing climate-related drivers of conflict through holistic approaches that combine environmental sustainability and conflict resolution is critical for achieving lasting stability in Turkana and similar regions.