Citation
Bachmann, Jan; Hönke, Jana. 'Peace and Security' as Counterterrorism? The Political Effects of Liberal Interventions in Kenya
. African Affairs Vol 109, no. 434 (2010): 97-114. DOI: 10.1093/afraf/adp069.
Findings
The study finds support for the hypothesis that liberal interventionism and counterterrorism in Kenya have led to the empowerment of state security institutions, which in turn, have engaged in practices that violate civil rights. This study examines foreign counterterrorism aid to Kenya from three major supporters--the UK, Denmark, and the U.S. While there are important similarities between the three donors, there are also key differences. The British counterterrorism strategy emphasizes civilian programs targeting crucial parts of the population in order to reduce radicalization in addition to special forces training. The Danish government not only links state fragility to terrorism but also emphasizes its comparative advantage of soft interventions, including legal advice to the judiciary and law enforcement agencies, and does not provide bilateral military assistance or training to Kenya. By contrast, the U.S. mainly relies on military instruments in combating terrorism and stabilizing states, supplemented by a democratization agenda. Compared to the UK and Denmark, U.S. programs are also more clearly driven by homeland security concerns, while the development agency USAID has relatively little influence on these imperatives. The Kenyan case shows that even though donors provided military, legal, and development aid, assistance that has concentrated on hard security has been more consequential in that it has enabled the government to expand its counterterrorism infrastructure, which in turn has been used for controversial security practices (illegal detentions) against sections of the population suspected to be prone to terrorist activities, namely the Muslim minority. The fact the the military has been involved in carrying out some development projects has not helped. These practices have mobilized opposition within Kenyan society and have also contributed to a rethinking of donor agendas where soft security and an engagement with civil society organizations are now more emphasized.
Tags
Lever of Power: Military Lever of Power: Intelligence Lever of Power: Law Enforcement Lever of Power: Development Lever of Power: Governance Method: Qualitative Geoscope: Single country UN Region: Eastern Africa DOD Region: AFRICOM Country: Kenya Type: Article Year: 2010
Research Background
- Research questions
- How do Western interventions affect local societies and how are these interventions shaped and appropriated by local politics?
- Hypotheses
- Liberal interventionism and counterterrorism in Kenya have been associated with the empowerment of state security institutions and the subsequent violations of civil rights. (inferred)
Variables or Concepts
- Independent variables & concepts
- Liberal interventionism and counterterrorism measures in Kenya (inferred)
- Dependent variables & concepts
- Violation of civil rights (inferred)
Methodologies
- Qualitative method description
- Case study of the Western assistance to Kenya as part of CT, based on interviews and secondary sources
Time Frame
- Start: 2007
- End: 2008