Internal Security Operations and Mental Health of Civilians in Kapedo, Turkana County, Kenya 2011-2020
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Date
2024-06
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
This study seeks to contribute to the debates on internal security operations and mental health of civilians in Kapedo, Turkana County, Kenya 2011-2020. This study was premised on the fact that, Kenya has in many occasions deployed security officers including: military, police and other security agencies to deal with a rising wave of banditry, cattle rustling and disarmament in this area. Whereas the operations manage to forestall insecurity, the interventions have been criticized for occasioning loss of lives, destruction, displacement, and mental health issues among civilians caught in situation of armed conflict. The specific objectives of the study were: to analyze the dynamics of internal security operations in Kapedo, Turkana County. To analyze the dynamics of internal security operations on mental health of civilians in Kapedo, Turkana County, Kenya (2011-2020). To examine the consequence of internal security operations on mental health of civilians in Kapedo, Turkana County, Kenya (2011-2020) and to evaluate the significance of provision of psychosocial support in internal security operations on mental health of civilians in Kapedo, Turkana County, Kenya (2011-2020). Theories utilized by this study were the social conflict theory, human security theory and psychological reactance theory. This research combined both primary and secondary data. Qualitative techniques for collecting data were questionnaires and interviews. Purposively selected sample of 190 participants was used. Data analysis involved qualitative methods, involving the thematic organization of data before presenting it in narratives and verbatim. This study found that the government of Kenya has sanctioned a number of internal operations in Kapedo location to contain wanton insecurity and maintain law and order. The operations are mostly police lead and occasionally the military deployed. Deadly force and strategies short of actual war are often used in these internal security operations resulting in psychosocial impact on civilians. These operations cause mental health problems ranging from mild trauma to extreme exposure to post traumatic stress disorder. The affected civilians receive psychosocial support from their families and community members, they also receive psychosocial support from civil society organizations and government facilities. However, the psychosocial support is inadequate or is provided much after the operation harm has been committed. This study recommends the need to use minimum force in internal security operations and the introduction of psychosocial support management component in security organs and during internal security operations. This will not only provide timely mental health care to the victims of internal security operations but will also improve the relationship between the civilians and security personnel in operation areas.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Management of Kenyatta University, June, 2024
Supervisor:
Xavier Francis Ichani