Terrorism And The Conduct Of Foreign Relations: A Case Of Kenyan Experience Since September 2001

Abstract

Although Kenya has put in place some mechanisms to address terrorism through domestic policies and international laws, there is minimal studies done on Kenya and it is international relations. For a better understanding of the problem that would lead to more informed suggestions on how to manage the problem, there is need for a detailed study that lays bare terrorism and the conduct of foreign relations in Kenya. In lieu of the foregoing, this study sought to; first, locate the place of terrorism in the discourse of foreign relations in the international arena; secondly, examine the dynamics of terrorism and its impact on foreign relations in Africa; and finally, examine the conduct of Kenya in foreign relations in the wake of terrorist activities. The study was guided by the game theory in explaining the phenomena of terrorism in relation to conduct of foreign relations. From the analysis of the data presented in the study concerning the influence terrorist activities have in conducting the country’s foreign relations, participants in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs totally disagreed that terrorism activities have changed or influenced on how countries conduct their foreign relations as six percent of the participants disagreed that terrorism activities have influenced the manner in which countries conduct their foreign relations. They argued that as long as terrorism groups have been in existence so are foreign policies. Although they gave another explanation that since the 9/11 bombing in the United States of America, the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989, the end of cold war, and end of bipolar power politics, the conduct of foreign relations have really changed where of late countries have resulted to do it on line. Relating to terrorism and other transnational crimes, majority strongly agreed that terrorism activities have a strong link with other transnational security threats such as, drug smuggling, corruption, laundering of money, and climate change, proliferation of weapons; both light and small, migrant smuggling and human trafficking. This is to either protect their activities, obtain money to finance their activities, and also neutralize government officials who happen to challenge their activities. The study further examines how Kenya has responded to terrorist attacks and how this has shaped Kenya’s foreign policy within the last two decades. The study finally concludes in chapter five by giving a deep and didactic conclusion, summary of the findings and recommendations that moving forward may be vital for various agencies, practitioners, scholars, security operatives among others that deal with matters of terrorism.