Level of income inequality and youth engagement in conflict activities in Machakos county, Kenya

Abstract

Globally, youth is facing a myriad of challenge among which include limited education and this has made it difficult to cope with day today demands of life. The purpose of the study was to examine the link between the level of education and youth engagement in conflicts in Machakos county, Kenya. The target population consisted of the youth incarcerated in both Machakos male and female prisons. The study employed descriptive survey research design. Simple random sampling was used to select the units of analysis. With ethical considerations observed for anonymity, the data was collected using structured questionnaires and interview guide. Data analysis used both inferential and descriptive statistics. From the study, inferential statistics established a statistically significant relationship between income inequality and conflicts among youths as illustrated by (P>0.05), thus high level of conflicts among the youth in Machakos County. The study concludes that majority of the youth engaged in conflicts as a result of desperation for failing to sustain their livelihoods as a result of unemployment as pprovision of employment is a critical factor in life sustenance. The study concludes that most of the youths in Machakos County are vulnerable to conflicts due to high level of unemployment and that has resulted to high poverty levels, hence high rates of conflicts.