Combating Transnational Terrorism in Kenya
Abstract
This thesis examines the Kenyan government's (GoK's) increasingly responsive strategy in combating transnational terrorism, with a focus on the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombing and the 2002 terrorist attacks in Mombasa, Kenya. The analytical research methodology used is the qualitative case study. The author identifies the factors that led to the terrorists targeting Kenya, describes how Kenya reacted, and reviews perceived improvements in Kenya's response to terrorist attacks. A deeper analysis is done by means of analyzing Kenya's use of the instruments of power in its war on terrorism. They are identified and assessed, based on the two case studies, through the submission of questionnaires to independent experts knowledgeable about Kenya's fight against transnational terrorism. Analysis of the responses indicates that the Kenyan government was moderately effective in employing the instruments of power between 1998 and 2001. After the 2002 terrorist attacks, it more effectively applied the instruments of power to mitigate the threat and developed a comprehensive national strategy against transnational terrorism. The author concludes that while the Kenyan government's counterterrorism strategy is becoming increasingly more effective in combating transnational terrorism in terms of the strategy's ends and ways, it falls short of applying the appropriate means to reduce the underlying conditions that make Kenya an easy target for terrorist acts. Recommendations, both short-term and long-term, are proposed to assist the GoK in conducting an even more effective counterterrorism strategy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 17, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA436675
Entities
People
- Hared H. Adan
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College