Influence of Small Arms and Light Weapons on Human Security

Abstract

Today proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons is a major challenge facing almost all of the war split regions of the world especially Africa claiming the lives of many soldiers as well as innocent civilians. Therefore, this study will majorly give focus on the influence of Small Arms and Light Weapons on Human Security and particularly on Kenya's Dadaab refugee camp. Despite the Government of Kenya efforts to control and curtail its spread, there is continued use and spread of SALW, the issue has become recurrent than it was before. Some adverse political, economic and social situations can be linked to the proliferation of small arms. The study observed that there is indeed a connection between Human Security and SALW and can be explained by 3 interconnected factors 1) Weak governance structures2) Unhealthy clan competition between the refugees3) Underdevelopment. Kenya enacted the Firearms Act (CAP. 114) as an Act of Parliament for regulating, licensing and controlling the manufacture, importation, exportation, transportation, sale, repair, storage, possession and use of firearms, ammunition, air guns and destructive devices and for connected purposes. This Act commenced in 1st January 1954 and has been the backbone of arms control in Kenya. However, its key tenets require better coordination by government agencies to curtail the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Dadaab and in Kenya at large. Civil wars in the Horn of Africa, over the years have led to the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons. The wide availability of arms apart from being devastating in terms of human loss has altered the cultural foundations of many communities. Given the livelihood insecurity of communities in border areas, and inability of police to provide security, the study noted that the availability of arms has provided the means for communities to seek alternative livelihoods (inevitably violent ones) such as banditry, and acquire the arms in order to not only protect themselves, but their families as well. The study applies Regional Security Complex theory to test its reliability. Chapter one provides the background of topic of study by first setting the broad context of the research study, the statement of the problem, justification, theoretical framework, literature review, hypotheses and the methodology of the study. Chapter Two assesses factors influencing proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Dadaab. Chapter Three examines control measures used by the Government of Kenya to curb the influence of SALW on human security in Dadaab; Chapter Four determines the influence of SALW on Human security in Dadaab and Chapter Five provides conclusions of the study, gives recommendations and provides suggestions on areas for further study.