Thesis:

The effect of strategic foreign security policy on Kenya’s economic development in the period 2018-2023

In order to assist Kenya achieve its economic development objectives, this research examined the possibility of implementing a strategic foreign security policy. This study tackled a number of specific issues regarding the relationship between economic development, regional safety, territorial integrity, and integration. It also sought to ascertain the relationship between scientific and technology cooperation and economic development in Kenya. Potential theoretical resources for this investigation included rational agent theory, cybernetic decision-making, and prospect theory. A descriptive research approach was used in this study. Members of the Ministry of International and Diaspora Affairs (n=156) were the primary subjects of the study. The results of the surveys and in-depth interviews with ministry employees were crucial to this study. The researcher did content analysis on the qualitative data collected. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to examine the quantitative data from this research. The findings show that the Standardized Coefficient (Beta = -0.251) for Territorial Integrity (TI) indicates a moderate negative relationship between Territorial Integrity and Kenya`s Economic Development t-value (1.725) and Sig. (p = 0.087): With a p-value above 0.05, this predictor is not statistically significant, implying it may not have a meaningful influence on Kenya`s Economic Development in this model. Standardized Coefficient (Beta = -0.014) for Regional Integration show very low Beta further indicates minimal influence. The t-value (-0.122) and Sig. (p = 0.903): With a very high p-value, Regional Integration is not statistically significant and do not appear to influence Kenya`s Economic Development in this model. Standardized Coefficient (Beta = 0.880) for Regional Safety indicate large positive Beta shows a strong positive relationship between Regional Safety and Kenya`s Economic Development. The t-value (5.918) and Sig. (p = 0.000): With a high tvalue and p-value of less than 0.001, this predictor is highly statistically significant, meaning it has a meaningful and strong positive impact on Kenya`s Economic Development. The Standardized Coefficient (Beta = -1.351) for Science & Technology Cooperation reveal very large negative Beta indicates a strong inverse relationship with Kenya`s Economic Development. The t-value (11.922) and Sig. (p = 0.000): The high absolute t-value and low p-value make this predictor statistically significant, showing a strong negative influence on Kenya`s Economic Development. The study recommends that; the goverment need to focus on aspects with the greatest value to economic development which include; regional safety and science and technology cooperation. The government needs to have a department that is responsible for the setting up of transport, ICT and energy infrastructure projects to be implemented this is in addition to dealing with economic cooperations and a free-trade zone so as to enhance trade relationships. The study recommends that the government need to work on improving its population`s human development index and this should be considered in tandem with gender-related development index.