Kenya’s Security Policy towards Alshabaab Terror Activities and Its Implications on Kenya-Somalia Diplomatic Relations (2011-2020)
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Date
2023
Authors
Kipchirchir, Benjamin
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Kenya’s military intervention inside Somalia in pursuit of Al-Shabaab attracted the
attention of international community and scholars. A lot of concern was over the legality
of the intervention rather than diplomatic overture. This study focused on the latter, the
implications of Kenya’s security policy towards Al-Shabaab on Kenya-Somalia diplomatic
relations. It examined how the terror attacks on Kenya and Kenya’s unilateral intervention
in Somalia and its consequent rehattion to African Mission in Somalia affected bilateral
relations between the two countries from 2010-2020. This study sought to: first, examine
Kenya’s security and foreign policy orientation towards Al-Shabaab terrorist group
between 2010 and 20120. Secondly, it examined the impact of terror activities and thirdly,
the study sought explored means used to restore the diplomatic relations between the two
countries in the same period. This study was guided by the following research questions.
What defined Kenya’s security policy towards terrorism in reference to Al-Shabaab? How
did Al-Shabaab’s terror activities and Kenya counter-terrorism strategies affect the
diplomatic relations of the two states? Thirdly, what was done to restore Kenya-Somalia
severed relations? This study was motivated by the very fact that Kenya and Somalia had
a diplomatic fallout during this period. Moreover, the ongoing involvement of Kenya
Defence Forces (KDF) operations and the ensuing maritime disputes seems to be
aggravating the already frosty relations. This study was anchored on the rational choice
theory and realism theory to help explain the upsurge of terrorism in Kenya. The study was
done in Nairobi and involved actors in the Ministries of Defence, Internal Security and
Foreign Affairs. The study also targeted workers in Somalia embassy in Nairobi. The target
population of 1,176 and sample size of 118 respondents and informants was used in the
study. Primary data was obtained by use of interview guides, questionnaires and focus
group discussion. Secondary sources such as books, journals and academic papers were
also used to gather data that corroborated field data. Collected data was analyzed and
presented using charts and content analysis to arrive at a conclusion that terrorist acts are
inhumane, ferocious, and posed a risk to international peace and mutual coexistence among
countries. Based on the findings of the study, Al-Shabaab terror acts has been a major
contributor to insecurity in the region threatening diplomacy. Consequently, Kenya's
intrusion into Somalia to trail the Al-Shabaab has worsened the situation. Further, security
policies put in place has not been effective enough to solve the Al-Shabaab menace and
may be proving counterproductive. The Kenya’s security policy, international bodies from
UN to EAC has enhanced her war of terror and it has put Kenya in the forefront in the fight
against terrorism. Kenya’s ardent war on terror complicates the maritime dispute. The
study’s findings further noted the issue of refugees being the catalyst to terrorism.
Generally, the findings provide a repository of knowledge and basis for policy dialogue on
security policy and Kenya-Somalia relations. The study recommends international
organization and other bodies to establish security bases in Mogadishu. Further, continued
cooperation between The African Union Mission be upheld as means of dispute resolution.
Description
A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Award of Degree of Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy in the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences of Kenyatta University, February 2023.
Keywords
Kenya’s Security Policy, Alshabaab Terror Activities, Kenya-Somalia Diplomatic Relations (2011-2020), Kenya-Somalia, Diplomatic Relations