Kenya faces a myriad of security challenges which originate from within and outside the nation. GoK has limited capacity of influencing or impacting the activities of nations negatively impacting the development of Kenya. Nonetheless, Kenya has the resolve and resources of countering grave threats to the integrity of the nation.
The security challenges within Kenya are evident to Kenyans. There is need to pre-empt terror attacks, end localized violence, avert insurgencies and reduce crime. It is also imperative for GoK to ensure devolution of governance translates to stable socioeconomic progress.
Currently, the most vexing security challenges facing Kenya are:
1. Protection of vital economic resources.
2. Preemption of a terrorist insurgency.
3. Reduction of localized conflicts.
4. Consolidation of transition to devolved political system.
Al Shabaab, a Somalia-based terrorist organization, poses the most acute security and territorial threat to the nation. Likewise, Somalia’s maritime dispute with Kenya poses the most conventional threat to the territorial integrity of Kenya. Moreover, external actors have expressed concern that KDF’s presence in Somalia is likely to expose Kenya to an aggressive terrorist insurgency. In reality, it is quite evident that KDF presence in Somali has degraded the capacity of Al-Shabaab conducting a long-drawn and aggressive insurgency within Kenyan territory. The premature withdrawal of KDF from Somalia will most certainly expose the Kenyan population to a brutal and malignant terror campaign.
In the realm of governance, GoK must consolidate democratic governance by utilizing available means and resources to defuse political tensions and ensure political maturity during political engagements. This will go a long way in stabilizing Kenya internally. Additionally, the devolution of governance will require GoK to effect pre-emptive counter-insurgency actions in counties affected (or are likely to be affected) by terrorism.
The current planned infrastructure projects afford Kenya the unique opportunity to align its national interests with security reforms. Actualization of these infrastructure plans will motivate the security forces to actively engage with ordinary citizens in key security spheres. This will enhance civilian-security forces partnership in tackling significant security challenges.
