Influence of Government-Facilitated Strategies on Security Mobilization in Kenya: A Case Study of Wajir County (2019-2025)

Abstract

The security landscape in Kenya has been marked by a series of challenges, including terrorism, organized crime, and inter-communal violence. It is, therefore, important to mobilize security to manage or deal with threats and vulnerabilities that hinder growth in economy. The main objective was to assess the influence of government-facilitated strategies on security mobilization in Wajir county, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to establish the nature of government-facilitated strategies that support security mobilizations, to assess the success of the government-facilitated strategies for supporting security mobilization, and to examine the legal and policy framework supporting government-facilitated strategies towards security mobilization in Wajir county, Kenya. The study was anchored on securitization theory, resource mobilization theory and institutional theory. The study employed a descriptive research design. The study targeted 734 participants including grassroot national government officials (Chiefs and sub-chiefs), grassroot county officials (village administrators), police officers and military personnel in Wajir County. The study used Nassiuma (2000) formulae to compute the sample of 164 participants and selected them using stratified proportionate random sampling technique. Questionnaires were used for collecting primary data. The questionnaires were distributed to the grassroot national government officials (Chiefs and sub-chiefs), grassroot county officials (village administrators), police officers and military personnel in Wajir County. Key informant interviews were conducted by the researcher with the help of trained research assistants. Every questionnaire collected was referenced and all the questions in the questionnaire coded for facilitating entry of the data. Data cleaning was done which entailed sorting incomplete questionnaires and checking errors in data entry. Quantitative data analysis was through descriptive statistics. Multiple regression analysis was used for establishing how government facilitated strategies influence security mobilization. The analysis of qualitative data from open-ended questions and interviews was through content analysis. The finding revealed that 69.3% of the variations in security mobilization in Wajir county could be attributed to government-facilitated strategies. The study found community policing significantly predicts security mobilization (β=0.733; p=0.000). The study revealed that military preparedness is significantly associated to security mobilization (β=0.706; p=0.000). Further, the study found that border control strategy significantly predicts security mobilization (β=0.825; p=0.017). It is recommended that the government of Kenya through Ministry of defence should increase the allocation of military and security resources in order to strengthen security mobilization efforts in border regions. There is also need for Kenyan government to ensure that border patrol units are equipped with modern technologies to assist in detecting, preventing and responding to security challenges