Impact of trasnational terrorism on human security in Kenya

Abstract

Terrorism has been a global security threat and Kenya has always been a partner to fight terrorism. The human security approach, which will be described briefly below, can be usefully applied to the fight against transnational terrorism. The concept’s focus is on the security needs of the individual, who is the main victim of terrorism although terrorism also threatens the security of the state. Therefore, in addressing these threats not only state security but the security of citizens in particular needs to be given attention. The main agenda of human security is that people matter and that the focus has to be on their vulnerabilities, which can also mean that state structures, like the police and the judiciary, need to be strengthened. The state has the primary function of protection, but the protection needs to be provided in such a way that the security of the citizens is in the foreground. The distinction between the two main pillars of human security freedom from fear and freedom from want , provides a useful methodological approach in order to analyze the vulnerabilities of citizens and the threats against them. For example, security sector reform is of crucial importance, because in post-war situations the security sector is often linked with organized crime and therefore rather a threat to citizens than a provider of protection. The study is also important since it explores thematic issues in regard to the impact of terror activities since these terror activities lead to loss of life and property and threatens the dignity and security of human beings. The Al-Shabaab terrorist organization are largely thought to be behind these last attacks and are thus the main focal point of this discussion. This research sought to uncover the answers to the following questions: Who are the members of the Al-Shabaab and their financiers? Why are they attacking Kenya and her citizenry? How can the activities of terrorist groups such as the Al Shabaab be curtailed. Theories where used to explain a deep insight on terrorist, for example rational choice explains human behavior. What drives the behavior of a terrorist? Data was collected using both qualitative and quantitative methods with a view to enriching the findings of the study. Kenya as a state must be ready to protect her people from threat of terrorism and this must be demonstrated clearly by developing the ways of countering terrorism in order to provide for human security.