An Analysis of Kenya’s Legislative Oversight in Military Missions: A Case Study of Kenya’s Intervention in Somalia.
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Date
2024
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Publisher
Daystar University, School of Arts and Social Sciences
Abstract
Using Kenya’s engagement in Somalia as a case study, this paper analyzes the constitutional mandate of control by the legislature and executive branch over military deployments. The main goal of this study was to thoroughly analyze the interactions between Kenya’s Executive and Legislature in approving military operations, emphasizing the intervention in Somalia. The specific objectives of this study were to analyze the executive branch's adherence to constitutional procedures and decisionmaking process in deploying military forces to Somalia, second, to investigate the constitutional and procedural implications of the Kenyan Parliament's exclusion from the approval process of military deployment to Somalia, and third, to assess the level of independence and effectiveness of the Kenyan Legislature in overseeing and holding the executive branch accountable for military actions in Somalia in alignment with constitutional provisions. The case study research design was used in this study based on Kenya’s military involvement in Somalia and was inspired by the bureaucratic political model. The study used primary and secondary data sources and employed a qualitative methodology. The main data-gathering methods were interviews with key participants, such as the Kenyan Parliament’s members of the national security, defense, and international relations committees and a representative sample of Kenyan citizens. Well-organized interview schedules and questionnaires made this easier. Purposive sampling was the specific sampling technique that was used to select the material for the study. This study engaged seventeen key informants, carefully selected through purposive sampling due to their direct involvement in or substantial knowledge of Kenya’s military intervention in Somalia. The respondents came from various sectors, including Parliament, the executive branch, legal and constitutional fields, academia, civil society organizations, and the military. This diverse representation provided a comprehensive perspective on legislative oversight in military missions. The research’s conclusions were crucial in illuminating the interactions between the legislative and executive branches of government regarding military intervention. Even though the case under investigation, Kenya’s participation in Somalia through Operation Linda Nchi, took place more than ten years ago, the knowledge gained from this study is helpful in the current environment. Additional research could investigate how increased parliamentary oversight affects the effectiveness and consequences of military operations. This could include looking at case studies where strong parliamentary oversight resulted in better decision-making, greater coordination, and more effective military strategies. Understanding how parliamentary engagement might influence military operations could provide useful insights for boosting Kenya's legislative process.
Description
MASTER OF ARTS in Diplomacy, Development, and International Security.
Keywords
Kenya’s engagement in Somalia, Constitutional, Kenya’s Executive and Legislature
Citation
Ng’ambwa, C. O. (2024). An Analysis of Kenya’s Legislative Oversight in Military Missions: A Case Study of Kenya’s Intervention in Somalia. Daystar University, School of Arts and Social Sciences