dc.description.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. |
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