Influence of Kenya’s military intervention in Somalia on regional peace and security

Abstract

The deterioration of Federal Republic of Somalia into a violent and extremist ground has been as a result of the lack of a functional government. For decades, the lack of rule of law, democracy, security and stability has threatened neighboring states‟ security interests, a situation that led to Kenya‟s military action. The main aim of this study was therefore to investigate the impact of Kenya‟s military intervention on regional peace and security. The study‟s specific objectives were; to explain the issues that led to Kenya‟s military intervention in Somalia, to analyze the challenges Kenya faces in its decision for military intervention in Somalia, and to assess regional states‟ interests arising from Kenya‟s military intervention in Somalia. The study applied realist and liberal theoretical perspectives to show that Kenya‟s incursion in Somalia was aimed to rationally seek power to protect its national interests. The study employed a case study design and purposive sampling of public officials and technocrats acting in the capacities of cabinet secretaries in the ministries of state for defense, foreign affairs and chief of defense forces. Further, officials from respective embassies such as the Kenyan, Somalia and Ethiopian embassies as well as professionals from academic institutions who are well- versed in matters foreign policy, national and international security were also sampled. A total of 21 respondents were interviewed. An interview guide was used to collect primary data while secondary data was collected from the analysis of journals, policy documentations, academic papers and books concentrated in the theme of the study. Data from secondary sources was analyzed through content analysis in line with the study objectives, which involved relevant reports from UNSC, AU and reports from the Kenya and Somali governments, whereas data collected through interviews was transcribed into text and organized into distinguishable themes. The findings of the study indicated that Kenya‟s intervention in Somalia was prompted by the varied threats posed to its interests in the region as well as threats posed to its national peace and security. From the study, it is established that the cooperation among the region‟s countries served to cement the interests of the region, hence the need to intervene collaboratively in the strife in Somalia. However, Kenya‟s collaboration spread beyond regional bodies and participated in international bodies as well, including the UN, the EU and the Arab League. The study findings pinpointed that there were various achievements, opportunities and challenges that were consequential to the military intervention in Somalia that either facilitated or marred its success. The study recommended that Kenya and governments of other regional states puts measures and strategies to ensure that the achievements of the military intervention do not get outdone by future destabilization. The study also recommended that Kenya government together with other states in the region, to develop a strategic plan with other international partners, as well as genuine representatives of local clans and social groups towards regional peace. Further, the study also recommends that regional bodies and institutions to take advantage of the opportunities that have risen as a result of the military intervention, so as to cultivate and strengthen diplomatic, economic and political avenues to sustain peace and security in the region.