Socio-Cultural Dynamics Influencing Border Security Management along Kenya’s Northern Border with Ethiopia

The purpose of this study was to assess the implications of the border security management on Kenya’s national security. The study assessed selected socio-cultural dynamics that influence the interactions of the border communities and their impact on border security management at the Moyale One Stop Boarder Post. The study was anchored on the realism and Regional Security Complex theories and adopted a descriptive research design. A total of 493 respondents were targeted by the study, out of which a sample of 220 was obtained using the Yamane Formula. The respondents were sampled, using purposive, stratified and simple random sampling methods. Primary data was collected using both questionnaires and Key Informant Interview (KII) guide. Collected quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics and presented in tables and figures while qualitative data was organized into themes for analysis and reported using narratives. The study established that despite the increased revenues and a reduction in insecurity incidents within the territory of Kenya as reported by 64% and 79% of the respondents respectively, incidents of insecurity continued to occur. This points to gaps in the enforcement process, attributable to the absence of a functioning border management committee. There is also lack of cooperation from the local community in providing information on illegal immigrants living among the community. This is mainly due to cross border family ties whose social capital superseded their nationality. The study recommends activation of the border security management committee with clear terms of reference and standard operating procedures to ensure that all border security agencies operate within a multi-agency framework. Further, the national and county governments should collaborate in implementing the African Union Border Programmes in order to incentivize the border community to own the border security management initiative.