A Critical Re-Examination Of Kenya’s Approaches To Threats To Her Territorial Integrity

Abstract

Territorial integrity is an important aspect for states. It is the main concern in the national interest, security and peace for states. The concern of most states is to protect their territorial integrity as it ensures their place in International Relations. Territorial threat is an issue and concern for many states. The main source of territorial threat for most states in the international system is border demarcation mostly caused by colonialism. Other threats include; shared natural resource, ethnic communities living across international boundaries, insurgency and secessionist movements. In Africa most territorial disputes are a result of the scramble and partitioning of African countries during the Conference of Berlin. The dynamic and complexities of territorial issue in Africa makes this research worthwhile. The objective of this study was to re-examine Kenya‘s approaches in dealing with threats to her territorial integrity. This research study had three main research objectives; to indentify the major threats to Kenya‘s territorial integrity, identify the approaches that Kenya has used in dealing with those threats and how Kenya has been able to defend her territorial integrity of not. The research critically examined the approaches Kenya has used, looking at the pros and cons of those approaches. The theory of Realism and its concepts was applied to the study to evaluate the importance the protection of territorial integrity by Kenya, the concept of conflict and war in state national interest. The research employed both qualitative and quantitative research approach, Non – Probability sampling which is Purposive sampling method. The study used primary methods and secondary method of data collection was used. This study found out that major threats to the country‘s territorial integrity are border demarcation issues such as the Maritime dispute with Somalia, Migingo Island and Ilemi Triangle disputes. Other disputes included terror attacks, refugees and piracy. The study also established that Kenya approaches in dealing with threats to her territorial integrity have been effective although it is faced with a lot of challenges. Diplomatic approaches have had but a few successes in the dispute over Migingo Island with Uganda and the Illemi Triangle dispute with South Sudan. It has failed with the Somalia dispute that was later forwarded to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In the end both the diplomatic and judicial approaches in dealing with threats to Kenya‘s territorial integrity are important. Finally, from the analysis, this study recommends that Kenya should ensure to employ the best approach in dealing with threats to her territorial integrity such as participating in good faith, adoption of non aggressive approaches to foster peace and use regional organizations in trying solving the threats to her territorial integrity if bilateral negotiations fail.