The Role of mobile phone peace platforms in Conflict Management: The Case of Mount Elgon Sub County of Bungoma County, Kenya. 2007-2017

Abstract

Kenya has undergone a remarkable information and communications technology (ICT) revolution. The introduction of mobile phones has  radically transformed political landscapes around the world by creating platforms for civic engagement and connecting citizens, political class, international and domestic observers, militia and political. This has mainly been witnessed in Mt Elgon Sub County of Bungoma County where mobile phones have been used successfully to engage the residents in conflict prevention platforms. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine the role played by mobile phone platforms in enhancing peace in Mount Elgon Sub County of Bungoma County between the period 2007 to 2017. The theoretical framework was based on the social conflict theory based on the Marxist-based social theory which argues that individuals and groups within society have differing amounts of material and non-material resources and that the more powerful groups use their power in order to exploit groups with less power.The study targeted all the residents of Mt Elgon Sub County of Bungoma County. Simple random and purposive sampling methods were used to select the respondents.  Questionnaire and interview schedules were used to collect both primary and secondary data.  Quantitative data was analyzed using charts, frequencies and percentages while quantitave data was analysed in narration form. Quantitative data was used to support the qualitative data.  It was established that most of the residents received at least one political message, voice calls and social media messages between the years 2007 and 2017.

The most frequently shared messages among the residents were conflict escalation updates, Peace advocating messages, Voter education messages and Messages advocating for peace. Other messages shared were; Messages that restricted movement. The mobile phone platform was the most commonly used form of spreading peace messages from one person to the next. Recommendations were therefore made that the Ministry of Information and Communication encourages the uptake of mobile telephony platform as it was found to be an effective tool of reaching very many people within a short time. It is expected that the results of this study will contribute to the growing literature on conflict and conflict resolution.