Devolved Governance and Implications on National Security: Exploring the Role of Clan Elites in the North Eastern Region, Kenya
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Date
2024-01
Journal Title
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Publisher
JAIS
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to examine devolved governance units in Kenya and
Implications on National Security, using the role of clan elites in the North Eastern Region as a
focus for ilustration The period of study was on the devolution period of 2013 to 2022. The
contention of the article is that in North-Eastern region, Kenya, devolution was operationalized
in an environment of historical inter and intra clan rivalry. In this setting, the citizenry had
unbalanced power as encapsulated in the clans they belong to. This brings into question whether
devolved governance may yield the expected benefits in such environments of potential uneven
power. It was therefore critical to evaluate the outcomes of devolution in the context of clannism
amid elitism in north-eastern region and its attendant implications on Kenya’s national security.
Using a mixed method approach, the study employed a household survey, key informant
interviews, and a review of relevant documents to gather data. A total of 932 participants from
Wajir, Mandera, and Garissa Counties took part in the study which was conducted in May and
December 2022. The findings indicated potential capture of local governments by elites, with the
monetization of politics and the entrenchment of clan-based politics, nepotism and cronyism
playing a key role with significant implications for security. The results further showed that,
elites use hegemonic approach to whip clannism to their support to the detriment of security in
the region. The study recommended that, the County Governments in the North Eastern region
should adopt laws and regulations that will permit equity and inclusion in leadership roles that
are representative of clan diversity. The study also recommended that national institutions such
as IEBC and National Cohesion and Integration Commission [NCIC] should fully implement
their mandate to ensure diversity representation in governance. To maintain peaceful interclan
coexistence and hence national security, it was recommended that county governments in the
North Eastern region should implement more public goods initiatives and public participation.
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Citation
: Elmi, A. R; Sirera, A. M & Handa, O. S. (2024). Devolved Governance and Implications on National Security: Exploring the Role of Clan Elites in the North Eastern Region, Kenya. Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies, 8(1), 5 – 20.