Stakeholder-Partnership Engagement as a Counter Terrorism Strategy in Wajir County, Kenya

Jared Akama Onyari, Pia Okeche, Daniel Kandagor & Godfrey Ungaya
Kisii University, Kenya
Email: onyarijared@gmail.com

Abstract: Terrorism continues to threaten the security of many counties in Kenya, mainly those along North Eastern regions, particularly Mandera, Garissa and Wajir counties, who are vulnerable to terrorist strikes. This study examined stakeholder-partnership engagement in countering terrorism in Wajir County, North Eastern Kenya. The study applied Social Learning Theory and Data was collected from a sample size of 109 respondents comprising security agencies, community members, civil society, and religious leaders. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed. The findings suggest that the stakeholder partnership engagement is an effective strategy in countering terrorism, especially if there are coordinated efforts by all stakeholders involved. Considering people from diverse backgrounds enhances trust as witnessed among them. The study concludes that forums and workshops help in understanding the nature of adversaries facing stakeholders in countering terrorism in the region. This is crucial in enabling the counterterrorism intervention to comprehensively address the local problem. The study recommends that there is need to embrace various forms of community outreach with stakeholder engagement to help various security agencies, such as the police, to manage terrorism activities at the borders and within the country.