Browsing by Author "Ichani, Xavier Francis"

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    Mass Media Coverage of East Africa Community Integration: A Case of Kenya
    (Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies (JAIS), 2024-07) Muriuki, Ruby Muthoni; Ichani, Xavier Francis
    The purpose of this study was to examine Kenya’s mass media coverage of regional integration in the East African Community (EAC) using mixed method research methodologies. Study begins by a brief history of EAC integration to demonstrate the dream and aspiration for regional economic bloc and political federation among EAC member states. The study then examines the channels of mass media coverage of the integration issues in terms of frequency of coverage, the number of issues covered per program per day, the length of coverage in minutes in audio and visual channels and columns allocated in print and internet sources. Using both probability and non-probability sampling techniques and employing qualitative and quantitative data collected through questionnaires from 99 respondents, the study found that the EAC dream of uniting under one economic bloc and political federation has been long and is still ongoing. The public in Kenya relied on the mass media as the main source of obtaining information on the EAC integration. Radio was predominantly the channel that most citizens received information regarding the EAC integration, because of its accessibility, affordability, and wide coverage. The citizens mostly receive information regarding the structure of the EAC, the leadership changes, new policies and amendments and economic related news. Further, the media covers 1-2 issues per program per day and the length of broadcast coverage in most programs falls below 60 minutes in audio and visual channels. In print media, 1-2 columns are allocated to issues related to EAC integration. This study recommends the media to fully cover issues of EAC integration so as to inform and influence the public opinion of citizens in Kenya towards the EAC integration. Study also voices the need to safeguard the independence of media which will ensure neutrality in reporting leading to dissemination of accurate information regarding the EAC integration.
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    Mission After Mission: Challenges of African Union Mission on State Reconstruction in Somalia
    (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS), 2025-04) Kandie, Dennis Kiptoo; Ichani, Xavier Francis; Onyango, Evans Odhiambo
    The unending challenges attributed to Peace Support Operations (PSO) in Somalia, is a glaring reality of how the African Union (AU) and her global partners are grappling with the costs of civil war, state fragility and international terrorism in Somalia which has turned out to be mission after mission. Anchored on state building and securitization theories, this study interrogated the challenges faced by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in carrying out state reconstruction. Three key challenges namely; strategic, operational and tactical are analyzed. An in-depth analysis and synthesis of the current relevant literature reviewed to unearth existing gaps in Somalia state reconstruction efforts. This study employed the case study research design. The targeted population was from AU, AMISOM, and experts in PSO from which a sample of 62 informants was purposively drawn. Interview and observation schedules were employed as key instruments of primary data collection while secondary data was collected using document analysis. The analyzed data was presented qualitatively. This study established that AMISOM faced three key strategic challenges namely, complexities and dynamism in the mission’s mandate, inadequate funding, and the overall inadequacies of the mission’s capacity and capability. AMISOM also endure two key tactical challenges. Firstly, the challenge of fighting the invisible enemy and secondly, the lack of internal coherence and coordination in the AMISOM command. Four operational challenges were identified. Firstly, negative clannism and clan differences among the Somali population. Secondly cases of violations of international laws and norms. Thirdly, uncertainty and fragility in the Somalia political atmosphere and fourthly, incidences of piracy off the Coast of Somalia. This study recommended that military interventions such as AMISOM require adequate technical, financial, logistical, administrative, and legitimate support to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations. African Union Commission should ensure that limitations and lessons learned in the previous missions in Somalia are addressed in both the UNSC and AUPSC so that a formidable framework is attained in guiding and enhancing missions that succeed AMISOM. Further, multisectoral approaches should be embraced in addressing challenges encountered in PSOs.
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    Sea Blindness Implications on Maritime Security in Mombasa County , Kenya
    (2024-01) Mbogo, Gilbert Waithaka; Ichani, Xavier Francis
    Sea blindness in Africa remains a serious threat to maritime security as states continue to pay little attention to the sa feguard of their maritime realm . With increase in international apprehension relating to threats of piracy, robbery, blue economy violations , environmental and climate change threats it is prudent to factor in implications of sea blindness on maritime security in Kenya. This study investigated the implic ations of sea blindness on maritime security in Mombasa County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to assess the extent of sea blindness maritime security awareness among residents and stakeholders involved in maritime security in Mombasa County, to analy ze the socio - economic factors influencing sea blindness on maritime security in Mombasa County, to investigate the vulnerabilities associated with sea blindness and their impact on maritime security in Mombasa County and lastly to assess the effectiveness of existin g civic education initiatives in addressing impact of sea blindness on maritime security. The study utilized social learning and conflict theories. Study adopted the exploratory research design employing data collection through i nterviews with st akeholders including the f ishermen, the Kenya Navy personnel, Kenya Coast Guard officials, Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Ports Authority and Bandari College. The study also sampled views from the general public and expert opinions from the Non - government al Organizations interested in sea blindness and maritime security. The findings revealed low awareness of the concept of sea blindness, although respondents showed positive engagement after its definition was explained. Economic, cultural, and social fact ors contributed to varying levels of awareness, while existing civic education campaigns had moderate effectiveness. The study concluded that sea blindness undermines maritime security management by delaying response times, underreporting incidents, and hi ndering resource allocation and policy effectiveness. It identified vulnerabilities in environmental, economic, security, and social dimensions. The study recommended enhancing economic diversification, integrating maritime education into curricula, improv ing policy coordination, and expanding educational campaigns to mitigate sea blindness and improve maritime .
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    State Reconstruction Initiatives of the African Union Mission in Somalia (2007-2022)
    (Path of Science, 2025-04) Kandie, Dennis Kiptoo; Ichani, Xavier Francis; Onyango, Evans Odhiambo
    State reconstruction by international actors, individually or collectively, has been a diagnostic framework for Peace Support Operations outcomes and states' vulnerabilities to conflicts or failed states. This study interrogated the state reconstruction initiatives of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). This study employed a case study research design using a sample size of 62 informants determined purposively. The researchers presented the analysed data qualitatively. Using the state-building, securitisation and intervention theories to underpin the discourse of AMISOM's intervention, the study observed numerous initiatives employed by AMISOM. They included stabilisation initiatives, civilian protection, civil-military cooperation, counter-terrorism, and gender-based initiatives. Further initiatives were on security, humanitarian action and institutional capacity building. Generally, these initiatives positively impacted Somalia's statehood strides. The study recommends that military interventions, such as AMISOM, should prioritise state reconstruction initiatives in their mandate. Further, African Union-United Nations (AU–UN) partnerships on state reconstruction initiatives should develop sustainable strategies enabling stakeholders to achieve the stipulated mission mandates.
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    Strategies for Restoring the Mediatory Role of the Kenya Military Contingents in the Democratic Republic of Congo
    (American Research Journal of Humanities & Social Science (ARJHSS), 2025-02) Wangui, Esther; Manana, Collins Powell; Ichani, Xavier Francis
    Climate change and variability has hampered global agricultural growth and is anticipated to have a notable impact on crop production owing to the high reliance of agricultural activities on weather. The study examined impact of climate variability on production of major food crops (maize, beans and Irish potatoes) in Kieni West subCounty, Kenya. Mixed methods research design was used. Pearson’s coefficient of correlation (r) was used to assess the relationship between climate variables and the major food crops. Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) was employed to assess the effect of rainfall and temperature variability on major food crops. Analysis of quantitative data was done using descriptive and inferential statistics while analysis of qualitative data was done thematically. Data presentation was by use of figures, tables and verbatim quotes. Correlation results revealed a positive relationship between rainfall and bean (r = 0.46) and maize production (r = 0.33) and a negative relationship between rainfall and Irish potatoes production (r = -0.056). A negative relationship between maximum temperatures and production of bean (r = -0.89) and maize (r = -0.56) was observed while a positive relationship between maximum temperatures and production of Irish potatoes (r = 0.02) was reported. Also, correlation results revealed a negative relationship between minimum temperatures and production of maize (r = -0.35), beans (r = -0.43) and Irish potatoes (r = -0.38). Coefficient of Determination (R2) value of 0.11, 0.18, 0.003 for maize, beans and Irish potatoes respectively against rainfall was reported. R2 values of 0.32, 0.80 and 0.00 was reported for maize, beans and Irish potatoes respectively against maximum temperatures while R2 values of 0.12, 0.18 and 0.14 was reported for maize, beans and Irish potatoes respectively against minimum temperatures. The study concludes that climate variability had differential impacts on production of maize, beans and Irish potatoes in the study area.
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    The Centrality of Blue Economy Resources in the Kenya-Somalia Maritime Border Dispute
    (Path of Science, 2024) Ichani, Xavier Francis; Atieno Ogembo
    This study examined the centrality of blue economy resources in the Kenya-Somalia maritime border dispute. The study begins by conceptualising blue economy resources and then maps the blue economy resource deposits along the disputed zone. The third section analyses the primary blue economy resources driving the Kenya-Somalia Maritime Border Dispute. In the fourth section, this study analyses the interest of local actors in the Kenya-Somalia Maritime Border Dispute. Eventually, the study concludes by evaluating the role of geopolitical actors in the Kenya-Somalia Maritime dispute. The study was qualitative and made use of interviews to collect descriptive data. The target population consisted of government officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, government representatives, and personnel from international and regional development organisations. Both purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were employed to identify informants. This study observed that blue economy resources in the Indian Ocean have become an increasing interest among the two states. The discovery of hydrocarbon deposits and the prospects of commercialising deep-sea fishing and other mineral deposits in the region have seen increased national interest from both parties. Thus, Kenya and Somalia have expressed interest in exploring and exploiting the resources in the disputed maritime zone for economic reasons, perpetuating the dispute between them. The dispute has undermined good neighbourliness amid suspicion between the two states since 2014. Since the blue economy is considered a catalyst of economic growth, exploitation of the same has attracted both local and geopolitical actors who have been indirectly drawn into the dispute. This study recommends that Kenya and Somalia should work together and cooperate on the management of blue economy resources in the disputed resource-rich area, which will enable the states to share oil, gas, and hydrocarbon resources through cooperation ventures. Similarly, local and geopolitical actors remain non-partisan in the dispute.