NGO’S EFFECTIVENESS IN PEACEBUILDING INITIATIVES IN MANDERA SOUTH SUB COUNTY

Abstract

The study sought to establish NGO’s effectiveness in peace-building initiatives in Mandera South Sub County. This study was based in Mandera South Sub County-Mandera County as it is in one of the conflict prone areas, the area has a number NGOs addressing conflict in the area. The research was anchored on three theoretical frameworks namely: To gain a greater grasp of the topic, conflict theories and social capital theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design and the target population included the local administration, NGO officials, community beneficiaries and human rights specialists sampled via purposive sampling technique. The data was collected through questionnaires and interviews. The research instruments were pretested to ascertain validity and reliability in Isiolo County. The researcher employed the use of Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients to test for where a constant of 0.75 and above was taken as an indication of good reliability for the instrument. The study revealed that the NGO operating environment has a substantial impact on peacebuilding in Mandera South Sub County. Key factors affecting NGOs include porous borders, the geographical remoteness of the area, the trade of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in neighboring countries, and the presence of organized ethnic militias. Donor policies should be reformed to streamline funding guidelines, allowing greater flexibility for context-specific interventions and reducing bureaucratic burdens on NGOs. To control the proliferation of small arms, the government should strengthen border controls, enforce stricter firearm regulations, and work closely with regional bodies to combat cross-border arms trafficking. Additionally, enhancing the operating environment for NGOs requires improved security and stronger political support, achieved through multi-stakeholder collaboration involving government, communities, and international partners. The study comprehended longitudinal studies assessing the long-term impact of NGO-led peace education and sports initiatives on community cohesion.