Search

This study examined Kenya's national security threats resulting from the withdrawal of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). This was in light of previous Peace Support Operation Transitions (PSO) in Iraq and Afghanistan, where regional instability resulted from troop withdrawals. Therefore, it analysed the impact of PSO experiences on national security, aiming to identify potential threats to the national security of Troop-Contributing Countries (TCC) resulting from PSO involvement. The study was a descriptive survey design, and it adopted a mixed-methods approach. The sample size for the study was 400 respondents and 49 key informants. The survey was informed by functionalist theory and strategic theory. Kenyan border counties are predisposed to the security effects of the KDF transition from AMISOM. The study's findings indicated a complex security landscape; that is, weak Somali security forces, insufficient funding for the transition, a short time frame, and the likelihood of a resurgent Al-Shabaab all present significant threats to Kenya's national security. These issues are exacerbated by increased border security problems, such as smuggling and unresolved territorial conflicts. However, the studies indicated that Kenya could mitigate these risks. Influencing the Security Transition Plan (STP) to prioritise strong border security measures can strengthen Kenya's defences. Strengthening the Jubaland buffer zone and helping Somalia's disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR) initiatives can help weaken terrorist organisations. Furthermore, efforts in Kenya's border counties' socioeconomic development can reduce the attraction to extreme ideas. Implementing comprehensive border security measures provides an additional avenue for improving overall security. According to the analysis, AMISOM's transition represents a complicated security tightrope walk for Kenya. To counteract the problem, Kenya must address t

Trade in the modern world has evolved due to the liberalization and integration of the world into one unit. This has led to the practice of trade in multilateral, regional, and bilateral frameworks where states advance their diplomatic interests through negotiations, networking, regulations, and participation. Foreign trade is influenced by key regional factors like comparative advantage, level of investment, and domestic absorption rate. The study investigated the regional factors influencing bilateral trade between Kenya and South Africa, which are among the top economies in Africa and control a significant GDP within their regional trading blocs. The two nations enjoy trade under various global and regional arrangements like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the African Union (AU), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Trade between Kenya and South Africa has been uneven for the last three decades, with South Africa reaping more from exports compared to Kenya. The objective of the study was to examine the regional factors influencing bilateral trade between Kenya and South Africa. The significance of the study was to add to the knowledge pool and guide policy formulation between the two states. The study focused on the nexus between regional factors and economic diplomacy between the two states from 1994 to 2023. The standard theory and Keynesian theory were used to inform the conceptual foundation for the study. The study adopted purposive sampling and simple random sampling techniques to draw a sample size of 333 participants from the study area (Republic of Kenya and South Africa High Commission in Kenya). Primary data from interviews and questionnaires and secondary data from internet materials, journal articles, and books were adopted. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, and results were presented thematically and through verbatim quotations. The findings were presented via frequen

This study investigated the role of Chinese economic diplomacy in fostering infrastructural development in Kenya since 1963. The focus was on how this partnership manifests itself in infrastructure development. This study was anchored on power theory, modernization, and dependency theories, which were triangulated to inform the conceptual framework of the study. This study adopted historical, cross-cultural, and survey research designs. Questionnaires, interview guides, and focus group discussions were the data collection instruments. The study adopted multiple sources of data, ranging from primary to secondary. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques were used for data analysis and presentation. The data obtained was presented in percentages, pie charts, bar graphs, and tables. The study found that the most popular principle in China-Kenya relations was that of mutual benefit. This study further revealed that Kenya is still largely reliant on its traditional donors for funding and that its relations with China have even strengthened its ties with Western countries. The findings further revealed that Chinese investment in Kenya's development of infrastructure was significantly beneficial to Kenya's informal sector because the lower cadre of employees, who are the majority, are acquiring skills that make them start their own businesses. Kenya should further strengthen its ties with China. Kenyan traders should take advantage of the recent lowering of export tariffs by China to encourage Kenyans to export more products to China. The Kenyan government, through its relevant agencies, should also put in place regulatory measures to ensure that Chinese imports are of standard quality. China should offer more aid to Kenya to mitigate the deficit, or in certain cases, curtail Chinese exports to reduce the imbalance.

This study assessed the socio-economic impact of Chinese principle of transfer of values, skills and technology in infrastructural development in Kenya. This study was based on dependency, modernization and power theories which informed the conceptual framework of the research. This study adopted descriptive research design. Data was collected by the use of Questionnaires, interview guides and focus group discussion and desk top review. Qualitative and quantitative techniques were used for data analysis and presentation. The data obtained was presented in bar graphs, tables and percentages. The study found that during Chinese infrastructural development in Kenya, the informal sector benefited from China's skill transfer. The study concluded that Kenya-China bilateral relations has impacted positively on Kenya's international relation which is indicated by increased Foreign Direct Investments into Kenya by specifically Western states. The researcher recommends that Kenyan government should formulate a policy that will ensure that the technological skills impacted on Kenyan workers by the Chinese construction firms should be improved and included in the Kenyan schools’ curriculum.