Consequences and Effectiveness of Kenya Somalia Border Closure in Mandera East District-of Kenya

ABSTRACT 

The study is a descriptive exploratory case study that aims to establish the reasons for the Kenya- Somalia border closure. It will also establish the consequences and the effectiveness of the border closure in Mandera and Beled Hawa towns respectively in Kenya and Somalia. Lawlessness, insecurity and anarchy are the order of the day in Somalia. This insecurity has extended to Kenya due to proliferation of arms, entry of illegal immigrants and smuggling of goods. Kenya having been bombed twice by ten-orist; 1998 and 2002 is averse to Islamists groups such as Al-Shabab that controlled areas close to Kenya border hence it closed its border to guard its national security. The study involved different target groups such as DC Beled Hawa DO Mandera Central Division, Alien students; Immigration Officers, Community Based Organizations, NGO's, Headteachers, Business Community, Residents of Mandera and Beled Hawa and a total of 228 respondents were involved. And questionnaires, interview schedules and Focused Group Discussion was used to get data from the respondents. The data was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative research methods. The findings were that the border closure affected the business community, students and the residents of the two countries, Kenya and Somalia as there was a lot that they were interdependent on such as food and fuel from Somalia, while Somalia got tea leaves, mattresses, plastic items, education, humanitarian supplies and referral for medical treatment and surgery at the Mandera District Hospital or other private clinics in Mandera .. The study reconunends the reopening of the border to alleviate the suffering of the people and use other methods to address the issue of insecurity instead.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARA_CTION----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

APPROVAL------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11

DEDICATION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 111

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1v

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS-------------------------------------------------------- v

TABLE OF CONTENTS--------------------------------------------------------------------------- vi

LIST OF TABLES--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- x

LIST OF FIGURES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- xi

AB s TRACT------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ XII

CHAPTER ONE------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1

INTRODUCTION--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1

1.0 Background -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1

1.1 The Theoretical Background------------------------------------------------------------------- 2

1.2 Conceptual Background------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2

1.3 The Contextual Background------------------------------------------------------------------- 3

1.4 Statement of the Problem---------------------------------------------------------------------- 6

1.5 Purpose of the Study--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6

1.6 Research Objectives---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6

1. 7 Research Questions----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7

1.8 Scope of the Study------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7

1.9 Significance of the Study---------------------------------------------------------------------- 8

CHAPTER TWO---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9

LITERATURE REVIEW----------------------------------------------------------------------- 9

2. 0 Introduction------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9

2.1 Theoretical Review----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9

2.2 Theoretical Framework------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9

2.3 Review of the Related Literature------------------------------------------------------------ 9

CHAPTER THREE----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY-------------------------------------------------------------- 14

3 .0 Introduction------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14

3 .1 Research Design-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14

3 .2 Area and Research Population--------------------------------------------------------------- 14

3. 3 Sample and Sampling Procedure------------------------------------------------------------- 14

3 .4 Methods for Data Collection------------------------------------------------------------------ 15

3 . 4 .1 Instru1nen ts------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15

3 .4.2 Sources of Data--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16

3 .5 Validity and Reliability------------------------------------------------------------------------ 16

3.6 Data Analysis----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16

3. 7 Ethical Consideration-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16

3.8 Limitations-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16

CHAPTER FOUR ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18

DAT A AN AL YSIS AND PRESENT A TI ON------------------------------------------------ 18

4.0 Introduction------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18

4.1 Data Analysis----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18

4.1.1 Demographic Data of Respondents-------------------------------------------------------- 18

4.1.2 Reasons for the Kenya-Somalia Border Closure----------------------------------------- 24

4.1. 2.1 Insecurity and Proliferation of Arms----------------------------------------------------- 25

4.1.3 The Consequences of the Kenya-Somalia Border Closure----------------------------- 27

4. 1. 3.1 Absence of Alien Students fi·orn School------------------------------------------------ 29

4.1. 3.2 Alien Students' Feelings When Crossing the Border--------------------------------- 30

4.1. 3. 3 Registration of Alien Students---------------------------------------------------------- 3 0

4.1. 3.4 Payment for Registration---------------------------------------------------------------- 31

4.1. 3. 5 The Most Affected Alien Students----------------------------------------------------- 31

4.1. 3. 6 Frequency of Border Closure ---------------------------------------------------------- 31

4.1. 3. 7 Effects of Levy on Alien Students----------------------------------------------------- 31

4.1.3. 8 Effects of Border Closure on Livelihoods--------------------------------------------- 33

4.1. 3. 9 Social Activities--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 3

4.1. 3.10 Corruption-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34

4.1. 3.11 Cross Border Trade and Business----------------------------------------------------- 34

./.1.3.12 Use of Custom Points------------------------------------------------------------------- 35

4.1. 3.13 Problems Encounter JiVhen Crossing Border----------------------------------------- 36

4.1.4 Effectiveness of the Kenya-Somalia Border Closme----------------------------------- 36

4.1. 4.1 Border Closure and Regional Integration---------------------------------------------- 38

4.1. 4. 2 Porous Border------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 39

4.1.5 Reopening the Border----------------------------------------------------------------------- 39

4.1.6 Alternative Solutions to Border Closure-------------------------------------------------- 40

4.1. 6.1 Solutions to Problems of Insecurity from Somalia------------------------------------ 40

CHAPTER FIVE-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------43

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ----------------------- 43

5.0 Introduction------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 43

5 .1 Summary--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 3

5.1.1 Effectiveness of Border Closure----------------------------------------------------------- 45

5 .1.2 Reopening the Kenya-Somalia Border--------------------------------------------------- 45

5 .1.3 Alternative ways of Addressing Insecurity from Somalia----------------------------- 45

5.2 Conclusion-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 46

5.3 Reconunendations----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 46

5.3.1 Government of Kenya---------------------------------------------------------------------- 46

5 .3 .2 Government of Somalia--------------------------------------------------------------------- 48

5 .3 .3 Local Community-----------------------------------.--------------------------------------- 48

5 .3 .4 International Community------------------------------------------------------------------- 49

5. 3. 5 Somalia Diaspora --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50

5 .3. 6 General Comments-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50

5. 4 .Further Research •---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50

REFERENCES---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 51

APPENDICES--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 54

APPEND IX A: GLOSSARY------------------------------------------------------------------------ 54

INSTRUMENTS-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 55

APPENDIX B: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR DISTRICT OFFICER----------------------------- 55

APPENDIX C: INTERVIEW SCHEDULE FOR DC BELED HAW A---------------------- 57

APPENDIX D: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR CHAIRMAN COMMUNITY POLICING---- 59

APPENDIX E: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR HEADTEACHERS-------------------------------- 60

APPENDIX F: INTERVIEW SCHEDULE FOR ALIEN STUDENTS---------------------- 62

APPENDIX G: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS---------------------63

APPENDIX H: QUESTIONS FOR FOCUSED GROUP DISCUSSION------------------- 65

APPENDIX I: INTERVIEW SCHEDULE FOR BUSINESS COMMUNITY -------------- 66

APPENDIX J: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR CHIEFS----------------------------------------------- 67

APPENDIX K: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS/NGOS--------------------------------------- 68

APPENDIX L: BUDGET---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 69

APPENDIX M: TIME FRAME------------------------------------------------------------------ 70

APPENDIX N: UNIVERSITY INTRODUCTORY LETTER-------------------------------- 71

APPENDIX 0: RESEARCHER'S INTRODUCTORY----------------------------------------- 72