Integration of maritime security strategies in the management of land-based terror activities in Lamu County

Constar Haggai Katamu; Ferdinand Makhanu Nabiswa; Standslause Elijah Onyango  Odhiambo

doi:10.51867/ajernet.7.3.62

Authors

Constar Haggai Katamu Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4703-0862
Ferdinand Makhanu Nabiswa Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0671-7825
Standslause Elijah Onyango Odhiambo Bomet University College, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.7.3.62

Keywords:

Land-Based Terror Activities, Maritime Security Strategies, counter-terrorism, Lamu County, Kenya

Abstract

Lamu terror activities persists as a transnational menace that poses hazards to global interests, arising from and manifesting in both foreign and domestic contexts. Terrorist acts were executed by individuals or small cells that received varying degrees of support, including resources and training. While maintaining little to no link with the terrorist organizations to whom they profess loyalty.These has been enabled by presence of maritime domain which offers terrorist’s advantages ranging from accessibility to the land, carrying out illegal activities in the sea to finance their land based terror activities. Despite existence of maritime security strategies in Kenya, maritime insecurities persists. This study opines that its existence influences land-based terror activities in Lamu County. The overall objective of the study was to assess the integration of maritime security strategies in the management of land -based terror activities. Routine Activities Theory and Securitization Theory underpinned the study.The study espoused convergent parallel research design. The study area was Lamu County. Target population of the study was 966 in which Slovin’s formula was used to derive a sample size of 320 from Multiagency team; platoon commanders from General Service Unit (GSU) and Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), Kenya Navy Fleet Commander, Kenya Coast Guard Service Lieutenant Commander, Lamu County Commissioner, Kenya Maritime Authority Manager, Director from ministry of Fisheries, Director from Blue Economy, Kiunga Youth Bunge leader, Sub-County Ministry of Education Directors, Kenya Maritime Police, Save Lamu civil society management committee, traders from both Lamu West Sub-County and Lamu East Sub-County, village elders, youth, women fishmongers, religious leaders, and radicalised youths. Primary data was collected using questionnaires, Interview Guide, Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews. Secondary data was obtained from police records, academic journals, books, policy papers, government publications and online sources. The obtained data was analysed with aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Findings were presented using frequency tables, pie charts and bar graphs. The study findings indicated that there was low level of integration of maritime security strategies in management of land based terror activities in Lamu County. The study concluded that, maritime security strategies have direct influence on management of land-based terror activities. The study recommends; adoption of integrated maritime security strategy that can assist in response to maritime insecurities in areas that are not effectively manned.

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