Counter-Terrorism Strategies and Human Rights Protection in Kenya, 1998-2019
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Date
2021
Authors
Mutungi, Stephen Kimathi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Many counter-terrorism measures enacted by states have been criticized for
violating human rights. This study sought to assess the Kenya’s counter-terrorism
framework to ascertain whether the established counter-terrorism measures violate
or adhere to the protection of human rights. The specific objectives focused on,
firstly, to evaluate counter-terrorism strategies used by Kenyan authorities to reduce
the propensity of terrorism. Secondly, to investigate the allegation of human rights
violations committed during the implementation of Kenya’s counter-terrorism
measures. Third, to analyze counter-terrorism strategies that can promote human
rights protection in Kenya. The study used two theories. The regime theory was
used to analyze the domestic and international strategies used in counter-terrorism
and the theory of change approach to analyze carrot and stick measures of counterterrorism
that violate human rights as well as strategies that uphold human rights
protection. This study adopted an exploratory research design to assess the counterterrorism
measures and alleged human rights violations in Kenya. The target
population was the national security organs, counter-terrorism agencies, civil
societies championing human rights protection, security enforcers and watchdog
bodies. The sample of 200 respondents and informants was drawn from the National
Assembly, Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, the
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the International Federation for
Human Rights, UN Counter-Terrorism Centre and Amnesty International Kenya.
A stratified and purposive sampling technique was employed in selecting the
respondents and informants during the study. While the respondents completed
questionnaires that yielded quantitative data, the informants provided qualitative
data. Collected data was analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative approaches
and presented using simple descriptive statistics and narratives. Content, thematic
and theoretical analysis was then employed. The findings of the study established
that there were various stick and carrot counter-terrorism strategies used by
organizations, Government and security apparatus in Kenya. These strategies are
faced by a number of challenges. A number of those measures violate human rights.
There are however, some counter terrorism strategies that uphold human rights. The
counter-terrorism strategies that the Government can adopt in respect of human
rights include youth empowerment and employment, enhance surveillance and
intelligence gathering, stop renditions and use of force, proper investigations, uphold
human rights and rule of law and public education, awareness and participation. The
study recommends to the Government to adopt counter-terrorism strategies that
promote human rights protection. Further, the study recommends that the
Governments needs to create public awareness and participation in counter-terrorism
strategies and introduce measures to build public confidence in its efforts to fight
terrorism.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy of Kenyatta University, November, 2021
Keywords
Counter-Terrorism, Strategies, Human Rights Protection, Kenya, 1998-2019