Kenya: Conflict in the ‘Badlands’: The Turbi massacre in Marsabit district

What is it about?

The article examines how state failure has intensified violent conflicts in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid areas. Violent conflicts among and between pastoral communities in these regions have resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives. These are the ‘forgotten badlands’ of Kenya the country since the state’s presence is almost negligible. This particular violent conflict pitted the Borana and Gabra communities against each other. It also had cross-border dimensions into Ethiopia.

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Why is it important?

The recurrence of intra and inter-community conflicts is indication that the state has failed in its responsibility of providing security and development in these regions. The state therefore exacerbates rather than mitigates human security in arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya.