The goal of this research is to examine how peace initiatives have capitalized on the existence of shared interests, in order to transfer them into opportunities to promote peace. To offer insight on how cooperative processes have been designed and implemented in a conflict-sensitive way and finally To provide lessons learned about challenges and successes of water cooperation as a means to building peace in Marsabit County Water is a fundamental resource, indispensable to all forms of life on earth. Reliable freshwater resources are crucial to human and environmental health, as well as economic development. Almost every sector of human activity depends on water resources, from agriculture to industrial production and power generation. Furthermore, water resources are shared at the local, national and international levels, as water flows ignore state boundaries. Examining the Borana traditional water allocation policies in different parts of Marsabit County, this research suggests that water can be used as a platform to induce cooperation over larger political issues, ultimately settling conflicts in the county between different communities. The main premise is that water has been used as a catalyst for peace and cooperation rather than conflict. Evidence is provided to support this claim through examples from Marsabit County. This study will utilize Peter Haas theory of environmental cooperation. The study utilized both primary and secondary source of data. These studies focused on the review of the relation of these issues to local and intrastate conflict, not peaceful relations between groups originating from sharing water resources. It might be possible to envisage that water is a source of conflict, but in this context, the study examine if water has in any way contributed to peace building. Water as a source of international conflict seems to loom large not only in the public mind but also in political circles. The current trend for water co-operation as a conflict prevention tool and the idea of water as a pivotal factor in conflict prevention is lacking in the literature. Considering the increased significance of war in relation to water issues, one might foresee a heightened interest in researching on water and conflict prevention area.

show more