Kenya’s Security and Foreign Policy Orientation Towards Al Shabaab Terrorist Group (2011-2020)

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue IV, April 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186

Kenya’s Security and Foreign Policy Orientation Towards Al Shabaab Terrorist Group (2011-2020)

Benjamin Kipchirchir, Dr. Ichani Francis
Department of International Relations, Conflict and Strategic Studies of Kenyatta University, Kenya.

Abstract: Does the security policy against Al-Shabaab affect Kenya Somalia bilateral relations? This study focused on the implications of Kenya’s security policy towards Al-Shabaab on Kenya-Somalia diplomatic relations. The objective of this study was to examine Kenya’s security and foreign policy orientation towards Al-Shabaab terrorist group. This study was guided by the following research question. What defines Kenya’s security policy towards terrorism in reference to Al-Shabaab? This study was motivated by the very fact that current relationship between Kenya and Somalia indicates diplomatic fallout between the two nations. Moreover, the ongoing involvement of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) operations and the ensuing maritime disputes seems to be aggravating the already frosty relations. This study was anchored on the rational choice theory and realism theory to help explain the upsurge of terrorism in Kenya. The study was done in Nairobi and involved actors in the Ministries of Defence, Internal Security and Foreign Affairs. The study also targeted workers in Somalia embassy in Nairobi. The target population of 1176 and sample size of 118 respondents and informants was used in the study. Primary data was obtained by use of interview guides, questionnaires and focus discussion groups. Secondary sources such as books, journals and academic papers were also used to gather data that corroborated field data. Collected data was analyzed and presented using charts and content analysis to arrive at a conclusion that terrorist acts are inhumane, ferocious, and posed a risk to international peace and mutual coexistence among countries. Based on the findings of the study, Al-Shabaab terror acts has been a major contributor to insecurity in the region threatening diplomacy. Consequently, Kenya’s intrusion into Somalia to trail the Al-Shabaab has worsened the situation. Further, security policies put in place has not been effective enough to solve the Al-Shabaab menace and may be proving counterproductive. The Kenya’s security policy international bodies from UN to EAC has enhance her war of terror and it has put Kenya in the forefront in the fight against terrorism. Kenya’s ardent war on terror complicates the maritime dispute. The study’s findings further noted the issue of refugees being the catalyst to terrorism. Generally, the findings provided a repository of knowledge and basis for policy dialogue on security policy and Kenya-Somalia relations. The study has recommended international bodies to have their bases in Mogadishu like UN headquarters and cooperation to be upheld as well as employment of African means of dispute resolution.
Key Words: Al-Shabaab, Diplomacy, Diplomatic Relations, Policy Orientation, Security Policy, Shifta Wars, Terrorist Activities
I. INTRODUCTION
Kenya’s 2011 unilateral intervention in Somalia in pursuit of Al-Shabaab has raised a lot of concern over Kenya’s security and diplomatic policy toward her neighbors. It is perceived as radical departure from the good neighborliness

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