| dc.description.abstract | The focus of this study was to assess the impact of conflict on border control in Kenya. The study focused on the Kenya/Somalia border, using Liboi border point as a case study. The BCP was established in 1973 when the state of Somalia was peaceful. The scenario in Somalia, however, changed in the late 1980s due to the emergent civil war which was caused by inadequacies of political leadership. As the civil war became protracted so were the consequences. Liboi as a Ber is considered to have been affected by the protracted civil war due to the influx of refugees and the presence of militia groups at the neighbour town of Dobley. As an immigration officer, I was intrigued to study the consequences of this war on the mandate of the BCP.
The study which was carried out the Liboi BCr derived most of it material from oral interviews. Interviews were held with twenty respondents who were knowledgeable about the topic or study. The interviews were collaborated by secondary material which was obtained from hooks, scholarly journals, reports and electronic sources from various libraries.
Two theoretical frameworks, namely the constructivist and the realist theory provided the perspective of viewing the state actions at the BCr. The constructivist theory provided the framework [or analysing the definition of state interests whi le the realist theory provided the basis upon which such interests are protected.
The study unearthed various findings which confirmed the hypothesis that, the Somalia conflict impacts adversely on the BCr operations. The study posits that the conflict in Somalia impacts on the operations at Liboi HCr. It argues that the conflict led to the refugee crisis and cross-border crimes that impacted on the operations of the BCr. The crimes are committed in the name of business ventures.
The majority of those engaged in the crimes are known to the local residents and some of the BCP officers. Indeed, the benefits of the crimes are accrued by many either directly or indirectly. Hence, little effort is made to combat the crime networks, Moreover, the conflict led to an increase in insecurity in the area. The occasional incursions of the AI Shabaab impacted on the psychological stability of the officers and hence, impacted on their execution of duties. Finally, the study showed that the Somalia crisis led to international pressure on the Kenyan state to Counter the threat of terrorism. | |
