Kenya’s foreign policy implementation and its implication on the fight against terrorism: 1998 -2018

Abstract

Foreign policy remains the greatest mechanism that a country can use to pursue its national interests internationally. Kenya’s foreign policy is based on diplomatic co-existence, protection of state security, and non-interference in the internal businesses of other states. In the recent past, Kenya has shifted its foreign policy to conform to the realities of terror incidences that have been witnessed in the country. Therefore, the study sought to examine the nexus between Kenya’s foreign policy implementation and the fight against terrorism in Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to establish how Kenya’s foreign policy has evolved in efforts to fight terrorism, determine the effectiveness of foreign policy strategies in the fight against terrorism and assess the opportunities of foreign policy instruments in the fight against terrorism. This study was informed by Political Realism and Instrumental Theory. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative data. The study targeted the Ministry of Foreign affairs personnel, the diplomats, and security personnel drawn from the key security agencies. Mixed sampling techniques were used based on the characteristics of every sample category. The validity of the instruments was ensured through content analysis while reliability was realized through the internal consistency method. This study relied on primary data collection through the use of interviews and questionnaires and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used to analyze the data. Findings indicated that Kenya’s foreign policy had evolved to fight terrorism between the years 1998 and 2018 through the enactment of policies and legislation. This shows the commitment of Kenya to embracing foreign policy in addressing both domestic and international terrorism trends. The study also revealed that the foreign policy implementation strategies developed by Kenya to fight terrorism have been effective. For instance, Kenya has adopted and domesticated the United Nations Global Strategy and the Plan of Action on Preventing Violent Extremism through its National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism. The study also found that Kenya has benefited from the opportunities of foreign policy instruments and military deterrence has been the most effective. The study concludes that Kenya’s foreign policy has evolved in a bid to fight terrorism between the period 1998-2018. The foreign policy implementation strategies have been effective and Kenya has seized the opportunities of instruments of foreign policy like military deterrence to fight terror activities. The study recommends the need to realign and restructure foreign policy in Kenya to security and stabilize its relationship with neighbors to make it more responsive to the worrying and emerging terrorism trends and to rope in other states' participation within the region. The findings will greatly assist government policymakers and the political class in drafting and implementing policies that will govern the relationship between Kenya and other countries in fighting terrorism.