THE ROLE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH INITIATIVES IN HELPING CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AMONG COMMUNITIES BORDERING BORABU-SOTIK BORDER IN KENYA

Cross-border conflicts have been a longstanding global issue, with recent ethnic and communal tensions impacting regions in Africa, including Kenya. Despite efforts by governments and NGOs to implement peace and prevention strategies, conflicts continue, especially along the Borabu-Sotik border, where disputes between local communities have intensified. This study employs a qualitative research design and descriptive statistics, focusing on churches along the Borabu-Sotik border, including SDA, PAG, and Catholic, with a target population of 7,738 respondents. This study investigates the potential role of the church in managing conflicts, with a focus on how religious organizations can help foster peace and stability in the region. It addresses the ineffectiveness of existing conflict management strategies and the possibility of the church taking on a more prominent role in resolving these conflicts. The main objective of the study is to assess the church's role in conflict management among the communities living along the Borabu-Sotik border. The study used purposive and simple random sampling to select a sample size of 392 respondents, comprising 35 church leaders and 357 church members. Proportionate sampling methods were employed to categorize the sample according to churches. Stratified random sampling was used to select the respondents, who were then given questionnaires. Data collection tools included interview schedules for church leaders, questionnaires for church members, focus group discussions, and a checklist. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, means, and standard deviations were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).