GEO-POLITICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING KENYA AND TANZANIA FOREIGN POLICY BEHAVIOR SINCE 1967
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Date
2021-11-13
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Defense Resources Management
Abstract
The question regarding the extent to which foreign policy influences
regionalism is subject to debate. This issue is still emotive, fluid, speculative and
anchored on conjecture. The study assessed geopolitical factors influencing Kenya
and Tanzania foreign policy behavior since 1967. The study was guided by Two Good theory, Neoclassical Realism and Neo-functionalism theories. Historical, cross
cultural and descriptive research designs were used. The study area was Kenya and
Tanzania and the population was citizens of the two states with the target population
being cross border business community, government officials in Ministries of EAC
and Foreign Affairs, and EAC organisms - the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly
on which purposive sampling was used. A sample size of 384 respondents was created
from the total population using the Gomm (2008) formula. The study utilized both
primary and secondary data. Instruments of data collection were : questionnaires,
interviews and focus group discussions. Findings revealed that geopolitical factors
influencing Kenya’s and Tanzania’s foreign policies are to a large extent similar and
that they have direct impact on the foreign policies of both states. That strategic
location of both states as a geo-strategic factor affects both, though with significant
differences. Kenya’s location astride the volatile Horn of Africa has complicated its
security, thus influencing its foreign policy behavior. The study recommends that in
view of the similarities in geopolitical factors that influence Kenya’s and Tanzania’s
foreign policy behavior, the two states should cooperate and harmonise their foreign
policies to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding and naked and open rivalry that can
thrust the region into political and economic paralysis.