Conflict Management Mechanisms in Local Authorities in Muranga Town Council Kenya between 2007 till 2013

Conflicts in local authorities and county governmantts were a frequent feature in Kenya before and after devolution. The conflict in kandara Town council was similar to many other conflicts in Nairobi county, Kisumu County,Nakuru County and other Counties The purpose of the study was to identify the strategies of conflict management in local authorities in Kenya, using the case of Kandara Town Council, Murang’a County. Kandara Town Council was characterized by conflicts over a long period. These involved personality, economic, political, scarce resource distribution, power and identity. The study attempted to determine the strategies and methods that had been used in conflict management and to identify the challenges that faced the stakeholders in conflict resolution, identified possible solutions to those challenges. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: To identify nature and extent of conflicts in Kandara Town Council:To establish the effects of the conflicts in Kandara Town Council: To assess the effectiveness of the mechanisms that were available for conflict resolution in Kandara Town Council: Explore other mechanisms for resolving conflicts in Kandara Town Council. The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative methods to conduct the research. The target population was 120 people drawn from the staff and management of Kandara town in Muranga County. A sample was of 60 respondents was selected from the population using purposive and random sampling methods. kandara. Data was collected using both secondary and primary methods. Structured questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data while target interviews were used to collect qualitative data. Data was collected and analyzed by use of descriptive statistics to determine the factors that influenced conflict management in local authorities in kandara town council. Data was analyzed and presented in the form of frequencies tables, pie-charts, graphs and tables. The research was conducted between October and December 2013. The findings from this study could be used to resolve conflicts in other cities and municipal council authorities in Kenya. Data was analysed using SPSS tool for quantitative data while qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. Data was presented using reports, diagrams, graphs and charts. The study scope covered the period between2007 and 2013..