Kenyas counterterrorism approach is floundering the. In that same postwestgate speech, he outlined exactly what kenyas counterterrorism strategy should be. Raise awareness of the impact of terrorism and counterterrorism on the enjoyment of all human rights. Taskforce to counter violent extremism launched in nairobi. Counterterrorism strategy is a governments plan to use the instruments of national power to neutralize terrorists, their. There is a heightened threat of terrorism, including terrorist kidnappings, across kenya. Thanks to finn rasmussen for the technical input that ensured quality material. Ultimately a successful counterterrorism strategy requires more attention to helping somalia with the twin tasks of reconciliation and state building. As the world becomes more technologically advanced, terrorism has risen as a major setback to the advancement of the human race. Kenya has been the scene of various attacks attributed to terrorist elements. The study explores a number of terrorist attacks in kenya between 1998 and 2016 and examines whether the kenyan government adhered to. The kenyan government has received legal, technical and financial support to implement new counter. The national counter terrorism centre was established in 2004 by a decision of the cabinet.
Kenya has been a frequent target of terrorist attacks. The national strategy to counter violent extremism is the national document that guides different stakeholders to counter violent extremism in kenya. This thesis explores the impact of counter terrorism measures on human rights in kenya and uganda. Until september 2016, kenya was guided by its constitution and other security related laws in responding to violent extremism and terrorism. We appreciate the contributions of journalists ims and officers in the security sector. Counterterrorism measures adopted by various states and organizations have been accused of lacking human rights standards and threshold of international law. In 1980, jewishowned norfolk hotel was attacked by the plo. The kenya counterterrorism approaches taken on by the kenya and also reciprocal allies have actually settled as confirmed by a depression in number of attack by somalia based alshabaab militants, an international relations scholar claimed on sunday. This paper examines these acts of terrorism, their impact in the tourism industry, and possible ways in which kenya could counter any terrorist related activities by tailoring a crisis management strategy.
Besides being an important ally in counterterrorism kenya is the hub for a uk programme to. Although kenya boasts of the most stable, effective and democratic government compared to all the countries in the horn of africa, the country in most recent years has experienced the most. However, in recent months, the move towards soft approaches has received prominence since the development and launch of the national strategy to counter violent extremism. In 1980, the jewishowned norfolk hotel was attacked by the palestine liberation organization plo. Provide a practical tool for practitioners dealing with terrorism. Case study of kenya article pdf available in ssrn electronic journal april 2011 with 9,320 reads how we measure reads. On august 7, 1998, midmorning explosions killed 2 people, 12 of whom were u. In 20, the militant group alshabaab killed 67 people at nairobis westgate shopping mall. It analyses the nature and scope of trends of terrorist activities in. How does the implementation of counter terrorism measures. Terrorism is an insidious act common and conducted daily over decades and has been responsible for the physical and or structural violence experienced by. Uganda, ethiopia, and other governments in the region have used the rhetoric of counterterrorism and antiterrorism laws to suppress freedoms of expression and assembly.
This region has experienced terrorist attacks in the past and has the potential to. Department of state and the fbi announced that they have partnered with kenya to establish the first ever joint terrorism task force jttf outside of the united states. Pdf kenya, the united states, and counterterrorism. The landscape of terrorism and counterterrorism is complex and sensitive due to these and other factors examined throughout the university module series. A handbook on reporting terrorism v acknowledgements t he media council of kenya is grateful to all the people who contributed to the production of this report. Its creation responded to the development of a national counter terrorism strategy in april 2003 reflecting the concern of the national leadership about the sharp escalation of the terrorist threat to kenya. Threat of terrorism in kenya kenya is perceived as a soft target for terrorist activities. The african union counter terrorism framework african. This study assesses the impact of terrorism and counterterrorism legislation on the rule of law, constitutional law and human rights. The republic of kenyas unique social, cultural, religious, political, psychological, and economic aspects factor emergence of diverse genera of terrorists. Kenya, which is seeing a dramatic increase in the number of attacks against police and. During the 1990s, jihadism in somalia was synonymous with alitihaad alislaami, a band of wahhabi militants determined to. While it did not involve significant new data collection, it endeavored to take into account existing data in books, articles, surveys and policy.
The center on global counterterrorism cooperation cgcca project of the fourth. In 1992, the organization of african unity oau, meeting at its 28th ordinary session, held in dakar, senegal, adopted a resolution on the strengthening of cooperation and coordination among african states ahgres. A kenyan muslim holds up a sign during protest against terrorismrelated extraordinary. In recent years, the somalibased alshabab has perpetrated two largescale attacks in kenya. Antiterrorism operations in themselves may be about good sense of selfdefense response. The largest, most highprofile attack occurred in 1998 when alqaeda operatives bombed the u. The despicable perpetrators of this cowardly act hoped to intimidate, divide and. The effectiveness of counter terrorism strategies in kenya.
Community perceptions in kenyas coast province and nairobi. Kenya, specifically, has been hard hit by terrorist attacks during the past twenty years or so. Counterterrorism in kenya request pdf researchgate. The terrorist incidents in kenya demonstrate clearly that terrorism is, and will remain, one of the goks main concerns. A handbook on reporting terrorism media council of kenya. Ecowas political declaration and common position against terrorism ecowas political declaration and common position against terrorism we, the heads of state and government of the economic community of west african states ecowas. The united states government has implemented a range of programs to counter violent extremist threats in east africa in response to al qaedas bombing of the u. The kenyaled team will be based in nairobi, will follow the u. Kenya s commitment to fighting terrorism is reflected not only in its domestic. When considering the future of terrorism therefore, it can be helpful first to look backwards, albeit briefly, to the. Historically, kenyas vulnerability to terrorist attacks has been associated with its perceived. Pdf national counterterrorism ct policies and challenges to.
Reaffirming our commitment to the revised ecowas treaty signed at. In 1998, kenya experienced its first major terrorist hit when. While terrorism affects almost all african states1, the study focuses on three east african countries, kenya, tanzania and uganda. However, for the majority of alshabaab fighters, injustices suffered at hands of kenyas security agencies was what. Terrorism in kenya by koome gikunda graduating senior introduction kenya has been the battlefield of tragic terrorist attacks on western interests twice since 1998 once in 1998 when the us embassy was attacked and a second time in 2002 when a israeliowned paradise hotel was bombed. Taskforce to counter violent extremism launched in nairobi cyrus ombati 27th mar 2017 16. However, in recent months, the move towards soft approaches has received prominence since the development and launch of the national strategy to counter violent extremism nscve by the national counter terrorism centre nctc. Considering kenyas recent experience with terrorist acts, their effects. There are many western interests in kenya, which form a good target for terrorists. Request pdf counterterrorism in kenya the terrorist attacks of 7 august 1998 raised serious questions about transnational and domestic terrorism in kenya. Britain has important strategic interests in kenya. As terrorism thrives in other climes, the governments of kenya and nigeria are increasingly pressured by the activities of alshabaab and bokoharam. It recognises that the human cost of terrorism has been felt in virtually every corner of the world.
Kenya in 1998 and subsequent transnational terrorist activity in the region. This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. However, while these have raised concerns around human rights and the ability of people to come together and organize on shared interests, the response of civil society in kenya has been muted. Continental efforts in preventing and combating terrorism have a long history. Counterterrorism also spelled counterterrorism, also known as antiterrorism, incorporates the practice, military tactics, techniques, and strategy that government, military, law enforcement, business, and intelligence agencies use to combat or prevent terrorism. Hotels were almost collapsing and thousands of kenyans lost their jobs. Attacks, including terrorist kidnappings, could target westerners, including british nationals. In 1998, the us embassy in nairobi was bombed, as was the israeliowned paradise hotel in 2002.