Abstract:
Youth comprises the highest segment of population in the developing
nations and are considered the beacons of hope and future leaders. The
purpose of the study was to examine the influence of socio-economic factors
on youth engagement in conflicts in Machakos County, Kenya. The study was
carried out to examine the nature of conflict incidences and the influence of
income inequality on youth engagement in conflicts activities in Machakos
County. Descriptive survey design using both probability and nonprobability
sampling techniques were used. Simple random sampling was used to arrive
at the sample of 234 youth respondents and 20 police officers while
Purposive sampling was used to get probation officers and police officer
commanding station. Data were collected using semi-structured
questionnaires and interview schedule. The quantitative data was analysed
quantitatively aided by Statistical Packages for Social Sciences Version
23(SPSS), while thematic approach was used to analyse qualitative data. To
test for relationships between the variables, Chi-Square was applied. The
analysed data was presented in frequencies, percentages, charts and graphs.
From the study findings, results indicates that there is a statistical significant
relationship between the income disparities and youth engagement in
conflicts as illustrated by (P>0.05). The study recommends that counties to
come up with income generation activitiesthe youth in Machakos County and
a similar study to be all counties in Kenya for comparison purposes.
