Securing National Interests in Africa Through Soft and Hard Power: a Case Study of Kenya

Abstract

The study sought to explore how African states can secure their national interests through soft and hard power using Kenya as a case study. The objectives of the study were; firstly, to examine how African states have defined and secured their national interests since independence; secondly, to examine and analyze the strategies that African states have put in place to secure their national interests; and thirdly, to examine and assess the extent to which Kenya has employed hard and soft power to secure its national interests. The hypotheses of the study were; African states have adequately defined and secured their national interests; African states have put in place relevant and adequate strategies to secure their national interests; and Kenya has effectively utilized hard and soft power to secure its national interests. This study employed an eclectic approach combining the realism and liberalism theories, to analyse how African states can secure their national interests through use of soft and hard power. The major findings of the study are; most African states have defined their national interests. At the continental level, African states have developed strategies to secure their national interests. These strategies are driven by pan-Africanism and emphasize on Africa unity, integration, development and self-reliance. The policy recommendations arising from the study include the need to; adopt a realistic model of integration based on connectivity and trade; develop national economies; bridge the language barrier between Anglophone and Francophone Africa by adopting English and French as official languages; and streamline membership in regional economic communities. The academic recommendations include the need to interrogate why Africa has failed to integrate despite developing strategies since 1980s and which model of integration is appropriate for Africa.