Multiagency Approach in Promoting National Security: a Case of Operation Amani Boni in Lamu County

Abstract

Despite joint efforts by government and non-governmental entities, as well as several researches on various aspects of terrorism in Kenya there are limited studies done to examine the effectiveness of the multiagency security approach to enhancing security and an analytical look at the existing multiagency team's legal and institutional framework and its effect on enhancement of security. This paper therefore explores Multiagency approach in promoting national security. It analyses global, regional and Kenya Multiagency approach to combating security threat and its application in counter terrorism efforts in operation Amani Boni. The study examines institutional and legal framework of multiagency approach to security in Kenya and analyses the effectiveness of multiagency approach in the case of Lamu County. This is because, multiagency security approach has been viewed as means of organizing and implementing complex and comprehensive interventions where independent security organ efforts to address security challenges have failed or have been unsatisfactory. The paper utilizes the system Theory as a tool of analysis pioneered by Emile Durkheim, who was a sociologist looking at establishing how societies establish and maintain stability. It adopts a descriptive research design, specifically a case study case research method, to examine multiagency approach in promoting national security in Kenya. This study targeted security personnel tasked with coordinating and managing operation Amani Boni, in Lamu County, Kenya. The paper concludes by proving that multiagency approach has been beneficial in identifying and preventing security threats in Kenya demonstrated by a decrease in incidences, number of fatalities, greater public awareness and cooperation between multiagency. The paper further concludes that resource constraint, doctrinal disagreements among security actors due to lack of a unified institutional and legal framework at tactical level and training disparities have limited effectiveness of the multiagency approach in the fight against security threats.