The Effect of Group Investment Conflicts on The Livelihood of Stakeholders

Abstract

Conflicts are not new phenomena in Kenya. They are experienced in most parts of the country as a result of various causes; political, economic, social among other causes leaving untold effects to the involved parties. Among the shortlisted causes, the investment conflict plays a major role that calls for the attention to examine its impacts on the investors, stakeholders and other beneficiaries. The study focuses on “the effect of group investment conflicts on the livelihood of stakeholders”, a case study of Mbo I Kamiti Land Company in Kiambu County, Kenya. The researcher was interested in the historical information of conflicts as informed by the literature review with concerns on the knowledge gap that required the study to fill. Furthermore, there is need to check on the impact of the group investment conflicts on the livelihoods of stakeholders guided by the following objectives; Establishing the nature of conflicts, assessing the impact to the livelihood of stakeholders, evaluate the mitigating measures put in place and examine the opinions of stakeholders on improving on resolving investment conflicts. The researcher used a case study research design as an appropriate design in approaching this qualitative research. The target population was 600; sample size was 128 respondents who were reached through snowball sampling technique. The research was guided by the theories put forward by John Burton and Karl Max both dealing with human basic needs in relation to livelihood. Interviews, questionnaire and focused group discussion were the methodology for the collection of data which was edited, coded, classified and tabled for easy analysis. On the second objective on impacts to stakeholder, there were social and economic impacts of conflicts to the stakeholder’s livelihood. On the third objective on mitigating measure, 10% agreed to have had mitigating measures which did little under compromising laws. 90% was for no measures. On the last objective; improving how to resolve conflict, opinions from respondents towards this objective were to admit the mistake and have dialogue, to have well stipulated and reinforced company and government laws governing investments. In a nutshell, all people with interest in investment will be beneficiaries. In conclusion, group investment conflicts are inevitable in any organization hence a call for the reliable and swift means to curb them. This study recommends the revising and reinforcement of company and government laws without biasness, investment companies to have mitigating measures and mechanism to resolving conflicts in the company through proper ways to avoid violence and negatively impacting the livelihood of its stakeholders.