Browsing by Author "Wasonga, Joseph"

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    The Colonial Legacy in Kenya-British Military Relations: 1963-2005.
    (2014-02-19) Njagi, Arthur Munene; Kiruthu, Felix Macharia; Wasonga, Joseph
    Decades after the end of colonisation the intellectual debate over the positive and negative impacts of colonisation in Kenya is still very much alive. This study is not interested in justifying or condemning colonialism. On the contrary it focuses on Kenya-British military relations as one of the enduring independence period legacies in Kenya and is centered within Kenya’s problematic decolonization experience and the wider context of the Cold War ideological confrontation. The desire by Britain to relentlessly pursue its imperial interests beyond Kenya’s independence forms the thrust of this thesis and the study only adds up to the various attempts made by the Kenyan people to dismantle colonialism, both in its formal and informal dispositions. The objectives of the study were; to examine the nature and rationale of the evolution of Kenya-British military relations in the independence period, to evaluate their impacts on Kenya’s foreign policy relations with other states and third, examine the impacts of these relations on Kenya’s national security in the independence period. The study employs the realist school of thought in tracing the continuous British military presence in Kenya while igniting debate on Kenya’s decolonization experience. For the investigative aim of this thesis, the study focuses on the colonial legacy in Kenya-British military relations within the independence period regimes of Kenyatta (1963-1978) Moi (1978-2002) and Kibaki (2002- up to 2005). Nevertheless the three regimes simply provide in terms of their institutional transition an attempt by the study, a modest evaluation of the present Kenya-British military relations. Primary and secondary sources of data were used in this study. Secondary sources included mainly written sources. The study found out that the British Army in spite of being an ‘enemy’ military during the Mau Mau War of independence and the ongoing Mau Mau atrocities cases against the British government, the same army continues to use the Kenyan hinterlands as military training areas long after Kenya’s independence thereby shaping Kenya’s military relations with its former colonial master. The study concludes that in spite of negative civil-military relations at the local level, the relations at national level have proved beneficial to both countries. More so the study informs that military relations between states have largely played a major role in determining the subsequent trajectory of economic, trade, diplomatic and political relations between the co-operating nations. It thus affirms the argument advanced by the study that the trajectory of development in Kenya continues to be determined and shaped not only by the conjuncture of precolonial, colonial and post-colonial socio-political and economic structures but also by the military linkages.
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    The Impact of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) Conflict on Regional Cooperation, Sustainable Development, and Conflict Resolution in Africa
    (CEDRED, 2023-12) Okech, Cornel Otieno; Wasonga, Joseph
    The purpose of this article is to examine the impact of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) conflict on regional cooperation, sustainable development, and conflict resolution in Africa. The contention of this study is that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a monumental infrastructure project situated in the Nile River Basin; a region historically marked by complex hydro-political dynamics. The GERD conflict has ignited multifaceted repercussions, impacting regional cooperation, sustainable development, and conflict resolution in Africa. While it has strained diplomatic relations and created tensions among Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt, it has also led to increased engagement in negotiations facilitated by international mediators. The conflict's complexity is evident in both cooperative and conflicting instances, emphasizing the need for ongoing diplomatic efforts to address tensions and foster collaboration. This underscores the importance of nuanced diplomacy in navigating transboundary water issues. The GERD conflict's multifaceted consequences on sustainable development vary among the affected African countries. Ethiopia anticipates economic benefits from the dam's energy generation, while downstream nations express concerns about agriculture, food security, and access to clean water. A balanced approach to development in the Nile River basin must consider these diverse impacts and address downstream concerns. This necessitates comprehensive strategies and underscores the importance of achieving sustainable development objectives for all nations involved. The evaluation of diplomatic efforts and conflict resolution mechanisms highlights the critical role of international mediation, particularly by the African Union (AU). However, the enduring complexity of the GERD conflict, with ongoing disagreements on fundamental issues, underscores the formidable challenges that diplomatic efforts face. These findings emphasize the necessity for persistent and inclusive diplomacy to address the intricate dynamics of the GERD dispute and promote long-term regional stability. The lessons learned from this conflict have broader implications for managing transboundary water disputes and underscore the importance of diplomacy in finding sustainable solutions to complex hydropolitical challenges. Recommendations to address the ongoing challenges in the Nile River basin include enhanced diplomatic engagement, conducting a comprehensive impact assessment of the GERD, and implementing inclusive sustainable development initiatives. Continued diplomatic negotiations, facilitated by international mediators, should prioritize open dialogue and confidence-building measures. A thorough and impartial assessment of the GERD's impacts on downstream countries should be conducted, and inclusive development initiatives should focus on water resource management, agriculture, and clean water access. These recommendations aim to promote stability, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region, ultimately contributing to the resolution of the GERD conflict.