Coordinated Multi-Agencies Patrols and Border Security along the Kenya-Somalia Border in Wajir County

Abstract

Securing their boarders has become a concern for all countries globally. This is because unsecure boarders pose a serious threat both to national and international security of states. For instance, the porous Kenya-Somali boarder continues to pose a serious threat to the security and development of Kenya as a country. This study therefore sought to examine how coordinated multi-agencies patrols affects border security along the Kenya-Somalia border. It adopted a descriptive survey research design that used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Stratified and simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to collect data for the study. The tools utilized to get data were, questionnaires and interview schedule. Both qualitative and quantitative data were triangulated to provide robust illustrations of the key findings. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented as percentages, pie charts, and bar graphs. Qualitative data on the other hand was analyzed thematically and presented as quoted verbatim. The study found that joint coordinated patrols, joint intelligence gathering, sharing and analysis and sharing of resources among the various multi-agency teams played a crucial role in border security management. The study concluded that, the Kenya Police Service, the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), and local administrative bodies have made significant stride in enhancing boarder security along Kenya-Somali boarder in Wajir County. The study recommended that, as far as the issue of joint multi-agency patrols are concerned, there is need to increase human resource and provide the necessary gears for effective multi-agency patrols. For further research, the study had restricted itself to the multi-agency’s cooperation and border security along the Kenya-Somalia border in Wajir County. However, a number of similarities in the multi-agencies’ cooperation was noticed, mostly through literatures. It would be prudent, to stretch out this research to other regions, to determine the applicability of these findings for the whole of the country Kenya.