Blue Economy Resources and Maritime Border Dispute between Kenya and Somalia 1963-2022
Loading...
Date
2025-04
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Blue economy has emerged as one area that has gained increasing global interest among states and non-state actors. Due to its potential lucrative value in economic growth, the exploitation of blue economy resources has led to conflicts between and among countries. In the Indian Ocean, conflict over blue-economy resources has severed the relations between Kenya and Somalia since 2014. This study sought to contribute to the existing debate on the Kenya Somalia maritime dispute and was guided by the following objectives: to examine the historical roots of the 1maritime dispute between Kenya and Somalia, evaluate the centrality of the blue economy resources in the Kenya Somalia maritime dispute, and assess the interventionist strategies for resolving the Kenya-Somalia maritime dispute. This study was anchored on a convergence of realism and liberalism in analysing and interpreting the results of the study. This study was qualitative, making use of descriptive research design. The target population for this study consisted of government officials, especially those in the ministries and government representatives, as well as personnel serving in international and regional development organizations. Both purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were employed to identify respondents who were presumed to have vital knowledge of the subject matter. The sample size was made up of 10%-20% of the target population. The study used both primary and 1secondary data. The primary data was gathered through the study use of an interview schedule and guide and from the Kenya National Archives, while secondary data was gathered from journals, papers, published and unpublished theses, and books. Data1 analysis was guided by the objective under study. The gathered data was thematically analysed and presented narratives and verbatim. The findings revealed that the Kenya and Somalia border dispute traces back to the post-independence period, with the British colonial legacy playing a significant role in fuelling the conflict. The discovery of oil, gas, fisheries, and other valuable minerals in the contested maritime area has intensified the dispute. The study also found that international and regional frameworks, including legal mechanisms, have failed to resolve the conflict. As a result, this study recommends bilateral negotiations between Kenya and Somalia as the most viable option for resolving the dispute and establishing mechanisms for sharing the disputed blue economy resources in disputed territory.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment1of the Requirement for the Award of the Degree1of Master1of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy in the School of Law, Arts And Social Science of Kenyatta1university, April 2025.
Supervisors
1. Xavier Francis Ichani
2. Peter Wafula Wekesa