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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.
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    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.