The Influence Of The Social Media In Promoting Kenya’S Foreign Policy Goals (2003 -2018)

Abstract

This study sought to establish the influence of social media in promoting Kenya’s foreign policy goals globally. The study was anchored on a conceptual framework and on Soft Power theory by Joseph Nye. The study adopted a mixed methodology approach where it used both the questionnaire and the interview guide in collecting data from the field. It adopted the descriptive survey design as its research design and purposive sampling technique. The study analyzed data using the descriptive statistics and the content analysis method. The study found out that social media had a very big influence in the formulation and execution of Kenya’s foreign policy goals. Secondly, the study established that the use of social media in making of foreign policy is facing a lot of resistance from the Foreign Service officers and government bureaucrats. The study further established that social media is not entirely an effective tool of executing foreign policy because it is difficult to filter the information that goes in and out of social media and government secrets and strategies cannot be subjected to such a scenario. Finally, the study established that although social media is an effective tool for mobilization and passing of information to the citizens, it possess quite a number of security risks to the country’s enemies such as the terrorist groups and the enemy states. The study therefore recommended that the government bureaucrats should find a way of including social media as one of the tools of formulation and conduct of foreign policies. Secondly, all government bureaucrats who in one way or another are part of formulation and conduct of Kenya’s foreign policies should also consider joining the social media so that it becomes easier for them to understand public interests. Thirdly, the study recommends that a specialized task force should be formed so that it may look at ways and means in which social media can be used in making Kenya’s foreign policy goals without posing any security risks. Finally, the study recommends that every government agency that is associated with the formulation and conduct of foreign policy to create a social media platform at least for passing information to the public and to mobilize the same public in any activity that requires their support.