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The impact of Kenya-Egypt defence cooperation on Nile Basin internecine conflicts
(African Quarterly Social Science Review, 2025-09-30) Odhiambo, Elijah Onyango Standslause; et.al
Power asymmetries frequently compound basin politics, raising the question of how to manage with riparian hegemons, such as those in the Rhine, Tigris-Euphrates, Turkey, Egypt, India, and China, in addition to Nigeria or South Africa. These hydro hegemons often refuse to be drawn into mutual multilateral basin fora, preferring to deal with weaker partners individually on a bilateral basis. Despite the coexistence of security collaborations, basin-internecine conflicts have continued unabated, thus raising significant concerns.The concurrent existence of defense cooperation initiatives and water-related tensions between Kenya and Egypt poses challenges in balancing security interests and resolving disputes over shared water resources. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of Kenya-Egypt defense cooperation on Nile Basin internecine conflict. The study was underpinned by structural realism theory, securitization theory, and conflict theory. It was guided by descriptive research design. The study areas were Nairobi, Kenya, and Cairo, Egypt. The total sample size was 225, drawn from a target population of Kenya Defence Forces and Egypt Defence Forces at Berenice military base in Egypt; officials from the Ministry of Defense; officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nairobi and Cairo, Egypt; the Egypt military attaché in Kenya; officials from the International Peace Support Training Centre; Kenya’s High Commissioner in Cairo, Egypt; and Kenya attachés in Cairo, Egypt. Both purposive and convenience sampling were used. Both primary and secondary data collection were used. Data was analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Study findings indicated that the Kenya-Egypt defense cooperation is viewed as an element of a much greater strategy aiming at bolstering the security architecture of the region. Its cooperation with Kenya has been both a solution to the conflict through joint peace efforts, addressing environmental concerns, shared mutual state interests, and regional stability and a causal factor to the Nile internecine conflict through promoting Egyptian hegemony and creating diplomatic hubs. The study recommends that both countries, on a sustainable basis, adopt a dyadic approach in consolidating and coordinating their strategies, devoid of either national interest obscuring the collective security endeavor.
Economic diplomacy as a strategy influencing bilateral relations between Kenya and South Sudan (2011-2023)
(African Quarterly Social Science Review, 2025-09-25) Odhiambo, Elijah Onyango Standslause
International collaboration through different avenues such as economic diplomacy has been made possible through globalization, boiling down to continental collaborations by the utilisation of organisation’s and treaties. After independence, East African countries sought cooperation across economic and political as well as social domains. This study focused on economic diplomacy as a bilateral strategy between Kenya and South Sudan, given their geographical proximity since South Sudan gained its independence in 2011, and the potential benefits derived from such collaboration. Kenya is an outstanding economic hub in the East African region and has consistently used economic diplomacy to actualize and pursue its national interests. The objective examined the nature of bilateral relations between Kenya and South Sudan, identifying key areas that need reforms. The study aimed to illuminate the interaction between the independent variable of economic diplomacy and the dependent variable of bilateral relations. The interdependence liberalism theory and the factor endowment theory provided the theoretical framework. The data was gathered in Nairobi using questionnaires and interviews with 356 respondents, resulting in an 87.1% response rate. The data were analyzed using a mixed-method design and content analysis. The findings indicate that Kenya’s economic diplomacy positively influences bilateral relations with South Sudan, with improvements in investment and trade as well as cultural exchange. Furthermore, the study proved the positive correlation of economic diplomacy aspects of labour movements, goods and service movement and foreign direct investments in the enhancement of bilateral relations. In conclusion, the study determined that economic diplomacy has been a vital influence in improving bilateral relations between these neighbouring countries. Key policy implications recommended prioritizing more permanent solutions to enhance peace and security for a tradeconducive environment, more trade negotiations to increase trade volume and fine-tuning customs policies fostering better goods and services movement. This study shed light on a better understanding of how economic diplomacy moulds bilateral relations, giving a broad insight essential for policymakers seeking to strengthen Kenya and South Sudan engagements. The study recommended that future research explore the broader East African Community regional dynamics and the impact of existing trade policies on economic growth.
Influence Of Refugees’ Socio-Economic Security On The Livelihoods Of Host Community In Kakuma, Turkana West Sub-County, Turkana County, Kenya
(Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies (JAIS), 2025-05-30) Odhiambo, Elijah Onyango Standslause; et.al
The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of refugees’ socio-economic security, specifically access to healthcare services and housing conditions, on the livelihoods of the host community in Kakuma, Turkana West Sub-County, Kenya. The contention of the article is that amid increasing refugee inflows, host communities face mounting pressure on limited public services and natural resources, yet the localized impacts remain underexplored. Anchored in the Refugee Aid and Development Theory and Social Exchange Theory, the research sought to evaluate how refugee access to healthcare and housing infrastructure affects service delivery, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic well-being among host residents. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design and employed a mixed-methods approach. A representative sample of 418 households from the host community was selected through stratified random sampling. Data collection combined structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS for descriptive statistics, while qualitative insights were examined through thematic analysis. Ethical standards were strictly observed throughout the process. Findings reveal that shared healthcare facilities are congested, with 84% of respondents reporting overcrowding, 80% citing overstretched staff, and 73% highlighting frequent drug shortages. Refugee housing expansion was also found to affect land use and environmental stability, with 73% of respondents noting reduced access to traditional grazing land, and 76% linking refugee shelters to deforestation. The study concludes that although refugee integration brings infrastructure improvements, it simultaneously intensifies competition for scarce resources and creates tensions when host needs are inadequately addressed. It recommends inclusive planning, equitable resource allocation, improved healthcare staffing, and sustainable land use policies to enhance coexistence. The findings aim to inform policy and humanitarian strategies for fostering balanced, community-integrated refugee interventions.
Exploring the Interplay Between Multiagency Security Challenges and Economic Security in Lamu County, Kenya
(African Journal of Empirical Research, 2025-02) Odhiambo, Elijah Onyango Standslause
The article underscored challenges arising from multi agency security approach and economic security in Lamu County-Kenya. The specific objective of the study was to assess the efficacy of multi-agency security strategies adopted in enhancing economic security in Lamu County, Kenya. Various literatures were reviewed in a funnel shape from the global, continental, regional, national and then to area of study. The study was guided by system theory. It adopted descriptive research design since it was a mixed research approach. Purposive and snowballing sampling technique was utilized to reach respondents. Additionally, fishers formula was embraced to derive the sample size of 384 respondents since the target population was more than 10, 000 people from Lamu County, which has a total population of 143,920 persons according to Kenya 2019 census report. The data was analyzed by use of triangulation method of analysis whereby, content analysis, thematic analysis and verbatim quotations were used. The research article found out that lack of coordination and communication among security agencies significantly hampers multi-agency efforts to enhance economic security in Lamu County. Additionally, it emerged that, fragmented initiatives and resource limitations impede swift responses to evolving threats. Moreover, the research article concludes that; socio-political intolerance disrupts collaboration, fosters divided loyalties, and politicizes security efforts, undermining community trust and the impartiality of security measures. Therefore, the research article recommends that; in order to promote inclusivity and impartiality in security policies, ensuring measures are seen as fair and non-partisan, continuous training programs are essential for updating skills, particularly in technological and collaborative aspects of security
Effectiveness of Multitrack Diplomacy Actors in Critical Assessment of Kenya’s Presidential Election Outcomes, 2007-2017
(Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 2021-02-18) Odhiambo, Elijah Onyango Standslause; et.al
In Kenya’s last four presidential elections, election observers had been seriously looked upon by both the Kenyan voters and the international community to provide alternative but credible information on the process and outcomes of presidential elections in Kenya. This was expected to promote legitimacy of the outcomes. Given that there was a dearth of specific scholarship to address the question, this study was conducted. This paper therefore examines the effectiveness of multitrack diplomacy in monitoring Kenya’s presidential election outcomes. The study was epistemological. It was conducted in 8 of the 17 constituencies of Nairobi City County which hosts the Kenya’s largest city and its capital with a natural representation of the population of the entire country. Out of the over 4 million residents of Nairobi City County, total sample size was 441 (384 questionnaire respondents, 32 focus group discussion participants and 25 key informant interview respondents). The study reached 436 (384 questionnaire respondents, 32 focus group discussion participants and 20 key informant interview respondents) out of 4 million people. Targeted were Kenya citizens who had voted at least once for a presidential candidate in any of the presidential elections held between 2007 and 2017 for the survey; individuals working with and for government institutions in Kenya’s electoral systems especially the election management body, ministry of foreign affairs, members of parliament, the Chief Justice, pollsters, the media, non-governmental organizations, religious institutions across all faiths as to Muslims, Christians and Hindu, major political parties, former election observers and diplomatic missions. The study found that multitrack diplomacy (MTD) actors or election observer missions (EOMs) observed election irregularities to above 50%. They detected electoral fraud in the 2007 presidential elections, identified election irregularities in the 2013 and the 2017 presidential elections but could not deter nor prevent outcome fraud. The paper, based on the study, concluded that multitrack diplomacy actors that monitored the presidential elections were fairly effective, they had reasonable capacity, fairly above 50%. Overall, multitrack diplomacy is effective in monitoring of Kenya’s presidential election but inefficacious in preventing and deterring election outcome fraud. Multitrack diplomacy actors-the election observation missions (EOMs) to use enhanced technology to match the electoral systems technology, improve on their objectivity during monitoring and be granted full accesses by governments and election management bodies (EMBs) for systematic, comprehensive and accurate monitoring.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Local-Based Approaches Adopted Towards Addressing Terrorism in Lamu County, Kenya and Baadadhe District, Somalia
(African Journal of Empirical Research, 2024-02-18) Odhiambo, Elijah Onyango Standslause; et.al
In the global context, terrorism has evolved into a complex and transnational threat. Al-Shabaab posed significant threats, particularly to East African countries, due to its capacity for numerous attacks in Somalia and neighboring nations. Despite employing alternative strategies, such as a multiagency and comprehensive government approach to tackle terrorism in Lamu and Baadadhe, acts of terror persisted in the region. The study explored the efficacy of a populace-centered approach in curbing terrorism in Somalia and Kenya. The populace-centered approach aimed to actively involve the local population in Lamu County, Basuba Ward, in socio-economic development initiated by security personnel to address the root cause of insecurity problems. The approach was guided by the Securitization theory, System theory, and Power theory, which held a significant relationship with the terror threats and insecurity challenges in Lamu County and Baadadhe district. The study employed a descriptive research design with stratified sampling, with target population 4506 and a sample size of 363 obtained through Slovin sampling formula. It gathered stakeholders' perspectives through questionnaires, interviews, and group discussions. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses . Quantitative data was analyzed through statistical analysis while qualitative data was analyzed thematic analysis. The analysis revealed community responses to terrorism, including physical and cyber threats, through initiatives like neighborhood watch groups and religious collaborations. The study highlighted the importance of strengthening existing structures like neighborhood watch groups and enhancing collaborations with religious leaders and schools. The study concluded that the populace involvement in countering terrorism in Lamu, Kenya and Baadadhe, Somalia reflects a vigilant and multifaceted approach encompassing various aspects, from physical to cyber threats. Further, the research concluded that populace-centered approach is effective in curbing terrorism through information sharing. The study recommended for active involvement of community leaders in security committees and advocated for a legal framework supporting a populace-centered approach to counter-terrorism. Policymakers and security agencies should consider diverse economic and environmental contexts in Lamu County, Kenya, Baadadhe, Somalia

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