The Dynamics of Conflict of the Kuria Tribe Around North Mara Mine

This study intended to find out the dynamics of conflicts within the Kuria tribe set up. The objectives of this study were met through enquiries and discussions with the local communities, village leaders, traditional leaders, district government officials and the mining company to air their opinions and experience with regard to conflicts in North Mara Mine. General findings show that, historically, conflicts among the Kuria tribe have been attributed to land which is the most valuable natural resource and family asset. Furthermore, the findings show that even after the coming of mining investor land has continued to be the source of conflicts between the Kuria tribe and the Mining investor (ABG). On the other hand, the local communities involved in this study expressed their lack of trust towards the local and central government on the handling of land compensation issues with the mining investor. It was noted, the local and central government have not been effective in following the Land Act, 1999; and as a consequence the mining company has not fully compensated the Kuria people for the land it acquired. This study recommends that, the Land Act (1999) be reviewed to fit the current situations on the ground. The Land Act (1999) does not provide a deadline for land compensation payments; but rather, it states that compensation should be effected within six month; and if it exceeds six months, then the required payment has to be paid with associated penalties. This Land Act (1999) has been a source of a lot of problems to the local communities, since they feel one day the investor may leave without being paid