Kenya’s National Interests and Peace Enforcement Missions: Case of AMISOM
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Date
2022-11
Authors
Gicovi, Winfred Mukami
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
According to recent trends, rallying together nations with specific national security interests is favoured as an intervention in combating insurgency. The ongoing turmoil in Somalia, and the continuous Al-Shabaab's threat to bordering nations, is concerning. Despite many regional and international organisations' actions, the situation continues to be fragile. The main objective of this study was to critically analyse the role of national interests in peace enforcement missions with the Republic of Kenya and AMISOM as the case study. The specific objectives of the study were to assess the national interests leading to Kenya's participation in AMISOM, to examine how the participation in AMISOM has affected the national interests of the republic of Kenya and to evaluate ways in which Kenya could have secured its national interest in its participation in AMISOM. A qualitative descriptive research design was utilized. The study used a sample of 116 participants. The study established that Kenya joined AMISOM so as to strongly and fervently protect its national interests which at that time, were under threats from Al Shabaab. These interests were strategic interests, national security interests, social interests, economic interests and political interests. The study established that Kenya’s national security interests were affected positively, economic interests were affected positively, social interests were affected positively, political interests were affected positively, and strategic interests were affected positively. The study established that strategies that Kenya can use in securing her national interests include formation of and seeking the interventions of a regional security organization with its neighbours, having a strong military force and pre-emptively actin on any threats towards its national interests, using diplomatic interventions such as soft power and developing a foreign policy and defence policy anchored on strong partnership with allied nations. The study recommends that Kenya should seek for and work towards greater engagement in regional formations that are focused on not only economic and social cooperation but also security cooperation so as to benefit from security operations, missions and cooperation that are pegged on regional organisations and institutions.
Description
A Research Project Submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science in Security and Strategic Studies in the School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies of Kenyatta University, November, 2022
Keywords
Kenya’s National Interests, Peace Enforcement Missions, Amisom