The Impact of Poaching on Kenya’s National Security: 2006- 2019

Abstract

Poaching is one of the leading organized crimes that threaten security in the global arena, regional as well as at national levels. Poaching has evolved itself from a non-political environmental issue into a multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise that has been ranked fifth topmost organized crime globally after drug-trafficking, weapons proliferation, counterfeit goods and human trafficking. The objective of this research study was to assess the impact of poaching on Kenya’s national security between 2006 and 2019 during which time; incidences of wildlife poaching were widespread. The specific objectives of the research study were to ascertain or establish the impact of poaching on Kenya’s economic sector and to determine how the nexus between proliferation of small arms and light weapons and poaching in Kenya. This study was guided by Barry Buzan’s securitization theory which explains how different political actors and elites in the world declare a given issue to be an existential threat to legitimatize different practices that are necessary in combating an emergent risk to national security. This study employed both descriptive and survey designs. The study targeted 216 respondents, where 200 questionnaires were returned and interviews on 16 participants who were identified through a simple random purposive and stratified sampling technique. In purposive, only identified departments with relevant sought information were considered in the study. Primary data collection was done using structured and semi-structured questionnaires, interview schedules and observations checklists. Secondary data included scholarly review of published and unpublished literature, scholarly discourses as well as relevant reports from the government and NGOs. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative data, using the computer Package-Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 23.0) and the Microsoft excel program was used to obtain measures of central tendency while ranking was done and the charts were used in presentation of data. Presentation of descriptive statistics was through the use of both frequencies as well as percentages. Qualitative data was then analyzed using Nvivo version 12. The study found out that poachers are criminals who breach national laws on protection and conservation of wildlife. The study established or ascertained that there is significant relationship between both poaching and economic sector emanating from tourism and, poaching and proliferation of both small arms and light weapons. Poaching has evolved from an ordinary community practice to a meticulously organized criminal enterprise undertaken by coordinated and well-resourced individuals. Inadequacy of resources, corruption, lack of skills and weapons and porous borders are challenges hindering anti-poaching initiatives by the government. There is protection of the criminals as well as aiding in commission of the crime. To mitigate proliferation of small arms as well as light weapons, this study recommends marking and tracing of weapons which are later used in wildlife poaching activities. There is a need for further research to be conducted on the impact of corruption-enabled poaching on national security. This will determine and provide empirical quantification of corruption as a key factor enabling poaching and subsequent effect on security of the country.