Kenya - United States of America Strategic Partnership on National Counter-Terrorism

Abstract

Globally, terrorism attacks has affected over 163 out of 195 sovereign states with a total population of 99.6 percent of the world population lives being disrupted necessitating concerted partnership among states and other stakeholders to counter the menace. Kenya and the USA have had cordial and enduring partnership since Kenya attained her independence in 1963. In 2018, this relationship was elevated to strategic partnership with mutuality of interests on; defence, civilian security, multilateral and regional issues. The purpose of this study was to examine the Kenya-United States of America strategic partnership on national counterterrorism. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; to explore and to expound the nature of the Kenya United States of America strategic counter-terrorism partnership; to assess the effects of the Kenya- United States of America strategic counter-terrorism partnership on Kenya; and to find out the challenges faced by Kenya-United States of America strategic counter-terrorism partnership. The study adopted a Retroductive research strategy, pragmatism philosophical paradigm, and a mixed research design. The study was informed by Social Constructivism theory of international relations. The research site was Nairobi where the target population was chosen purposively from diplomatic missions of the horn of Africa states, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade-Kenya. A sample size of 101 was derive from a population of 136 by use of Yamane (1967) formulae. Questionnaires and interview schedule was used to collect primary data while secondary data was derived from document analysis. Qualitative data was analysed thematically and presented through narration while quantitative data was analysed descriptively with the aid of Statistical Package of Social Sciences and presented through tables, frequencies, and percentages all of which were corroborated with secondary data to yield logical conclusions. This study found that; counterterrorism strategic partnerships are both bilateral and multilateral in nature which is achieved through reproduction of state power. The effects of the Kenya USA Counterterrorism Partnership in the short run had a negative impact on Foreign Direct Investment, Tourism flow, Security expenditure, unemployment, and profiling of populations on religious grounds; in the long run, however, a positive impact was realized since the partners had contained the terrorist group. The challenges encountered in counterterrorism are; youth unemployment, political instabilities of Kenya’s neighbours, use of improvised explosive devices, prolonged and severe inter and intra-state conflicts within the horn of Africa region, role of international community, challenges in balancing relations between East and Western interests in Kenya, and, western interests in Kenya. The study concludes that; the Kenya-United States of America strategic counterterrorism partnership on national counterterrorism was informed by cordial relations for mutuality of interest, the nature of partnership is both bilateral and multilateral, the effects on counterterrorism yielded positive outcome in the long run as there was increase in foreign direct investments, tourism, employment, and religious tolerance. However, there was increase in security expenditure as the partners engaged security apparatus to counter the menace. The study recommends that Kenya and the United States of America and all other stakeholders should forge an enduring partnership and an array of domestic and international institutions to successfully combat terrorism in Kenya.