SUMMARY

The Tana River district in south-eastern Kenya is generally dry with erratic rainfall and frequent droughts. It is only along the Tana River and its flood plain that water resources are stable and agriculture possible. This flood plain is inhabited by the agriculturalist Pokomo, while the Orma live as semi-nomadic pastoralists in the dry area outside the flood plain. The clearly defined homelands and the different livelihoods result in generally peaceful co-existence. However, sporadically this co-existence is interrupted by disputes over water and grazing land.

Aside from the tensions caused by questions of grazing land and water rights, another factor having a negative influence on inter-ethnic relations is the overall political climate in Kenya. Despite the fact that there are no ethnic political parties, ethnicity plays a key role in the country´s politics. Candidates usually rely on the support of their own ethnic group and use animosities between the different tribes to gain support from other ethnic groups. Especially since the 1990s, political rhetoric relies increasingly on ethnic stereotypes and as a result, mistrust and animosities among the different tribes constantly increase.

The non-state conflict between the Orma and the Pokomo is first included in UCDP data in 2012. In August that year, fighting between the two groups resulted in well over 25 battle-related deaths. Previously, the groups had been involved in fighting in 2001, when the Orma fought together with Wardei against the Pokomo (see the Orma, Wardei - Pokomo conflict).