Analysis Into The Role of Border Raids and Attacks on Kenya’s Defence Policy Towards Somalia (2002-2022)

Abstract

Border raids and attacks in Kenya by violent extremist groups from Somalia in 2002 to 2022 were very rampant and leading to very many deaths in schools, churches and malls. This led to various changes in Kenya’s defence policy towards Somalia. The researcher sort to assess the impact cross border raids and attacks had on the perceived changes of Kenya’s defence Policy towards Somalia. The respondents demonstrated that, the raids and attacks include, abduction of government officials and tourists, attacks on military bases and security personnel, attacks on schools, shopping malls and churches and lastly attacks on motor vehicles in the larger North Eastern part of Kenya. According to the data, 100% of respondents agreed that attacks on schools, shopping malls, and churches, 94.01% agreed that attacks on motor vehicles in the larger north eastern parts of Kenya, 93.75% agreed that attacks on military bases and security personnel, 78.39% agreed that abduction of government officials and tourists, and 67.71% agreed that attacks on government installations and communication equipment contributed to Kenya's defense policy shift toward Somalia. On the means of entry into Kenya, the respondents indicated that, Boni Forest, Indian Ocean in Lamu and Kiunga , motor vehicles transporting goods through common roads from Somalia by the locals and lastly major International Airport are the points of entry. The findings above demonstrate how porous Kenya's border is; you may enter Kenya from any border with Somalia. The research came up with the following recommendations, Kenya and Somalia should work together to eliminate the 'Youth Bulge' inside their borders. Kenyan and Somali governments should collaborate on intelligence sharing to track the movement of people more especially youths across both borders. Finally, Kenya Defence Forces contingents stationed deep within Somalia should be withdrawn and stationed at the country's lengthy border with Somalia to strengthen security and defence. The KDF should be outfitted with cutting-edge surveillance technology and armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to secure border. This will allow for effective covering of large areas in the shortest amount of time.