Peace and Stability in Somalia: Kenya’s National Prospects

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue II, February 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Peace and Stability in Somalia: Kenya’s National Prospects

John Kisilu Reuben, Dr. Susan Namaemba Kimokoti (PhD), Dr. George Akolo Lutomia (PhD)
Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology, P.O. Box 190-50100, Kakamega-Kenya

Abstract: This paper article reviews Somalia reaction towards Kenya before and after the collapse of the Somalia Government, effects of State Collapse, efforts made to restore peace and opportunities for Kenya within the context of stabilizing Somalia. The researcher used both primary and secondary data collection techniques to gather data. Under primary, the researcher used qualitative techniques by using interview schedules and FGDs. The population comprised key informants from both Kenya and Somalia governments and opinion shapers in Somalia. The study found that the “bad neighborhood”, between Kenya and Somalia had existed since independence. Kenya had experienced cross border influenced insecurity on its Northern Frontier Districts emanating from Somalia, even before the collapse of the Somalia State in 1991 and this was manifested in form of irredentism and border contestations. Generally, the Horn of Africa(HoA), including Kenya, had been faced with threat of increase of illicit firearms, cross border criminality, terrorism, conflict spill-over and refugee crises arising from Somalia’s statelessness. The ripple effects of Somalia State failure had been witnessed through the regional insecurity perpetuated by Al Shabaab. The Somalia conflict ailed from the spoiler effect from within and without Somalia who wanted to influence the outcome of any political process. Kenya’s bitter relationship with Somalia was compounded by the formation of the Horn of Africa Cooperation (HoAC) between Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia, a unified entity that could reduce the Kenyan influence in the regional politics. This notwithstanding, Kenya continued to foster its support for Somalia’s peace process and creating a positive business environment, despite the outstanding maritime dispute. The study concluded that a stable relationship between Kenya and Somalia would result in an expanded economic partnership and stable borders, which will reduce the influence of Al-Shabaab in the region.

Keywords: Stability, Peace, Partnership, Agreement, Al Shabaab, Spoiler, Prospects

I. INTRODUCTION

Immediately after Kenya’s independence, irredentist movement sprung up in the Northern Frontier Districts(NFD). The movement had aspirations of hiving off part of Kenya into Somalia. Symbolically, the Somalia flag had five stars representing the irredentist nationalism claims: Puntland, Somaliland, Jubaland, Ogaden region in Ethiopia and NFD in Kenya, in the dream of ‘the Greater Somalia’ (Porter, The Ogaden War, 1984). The attempts to secede were witnessed with four years’ war between the Shifta an Amhaaric word for bandits and the Kenya Armed Forces resulting into tens of thousands of civilian deaths (The TJRC, 2012).

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