The Impact of Migration Governance on National Security in Africa: a Case of Kenya

Abstract

The study investigates the impact of migration governance on national security in Africa with specific reference to Kenya. The problem is that migration governance in Africa generally and Kenya in particular, has been an area at the periphery of national security discourse. Migration has also been an exclusive domain of state actors excluding significant non-state actors. The objectives of this study were to: reassess the theoretical nexus between migration governance and national security, evaluate how migration governance affects national security in Africa, and critically analyze how migration governance influences national security in Kenya. This study applies globalization and securitization approaches to explain the impact of migration governance on national security. Mixed method design was adopted in which quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed to demonstrate the correlation of migration governance and national security. The study population comprised 45 key informants from government, international organizations, and civil society. Using contents analysis for qualitative data and ANOVA for quantitative data, the study established a gap in understanding the theoretical nexus between migration governance and national security. The study established a theoretical nexus between migration governance and national security. This connection is demonstrated by theoretical reference to similar events and happenings. The study also established the impact of migration governance on national security in Africa through strengthened institutional, legal and policy infrastructure as well as improved capacity of Africans governments in management of migration. Lastly, the study established a positive impact of migration governance on national security in Kenya. The migration governance affects national security directly leading to strengthen or weakened national security system. The study concludes that migration governance in Kenya requires legal, policy and new organizational structures to enhance national security and to conform to the new devolved government structure. Based on the findings and conclusions, the study made policy recommendations and suggestion for further academic research. These were to : develop national migration policy for evidence-based migration policy decision making; institutionalize a whole of nation migration governance coordination framework anchored in law; decentralize migration functions in tandem with national administrative units; adopt post-entry technological tracking system to curb irregular migration; reduce border porosity by use of technology to police the ungoverned border spaces and finally, undertake a comparative analysis of the impact of migration governance on human security between Kenya and South Africa for good practices.