dc.description.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. |
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