Terrorism and Religion in Kenya

terrorist act and Religion in KenyaEXPLORATION OF THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN act of terrorist act RELIGION AND THE IMPACT ON PEACE STABILITY IN KENYA1. Introduction1.1 Background to the investigateThe growing trends of terrorism in Africa, and in the region of Inter-Governmental endorsement on Development IGAD in particular within which Kenya finds itself, concord become a serious concern for security. Its impact on stop and economic victimization is signifi give the sacktly negative. Many lives have been lost, and fear and anxiety in the people is slowly creeping in. Kenya serves as an epitome of the phenomenon of terrorism taking place in the globe, and the IGAD region in particular. All these reasons necessitated the nethertaking of this research at the micro level (i.e., Kenya). Through this study, the authors hope to present a complete grasp of the record of terrorism and its development in Kenya, with a view to making contributions towards the knowledge of terrorism and a ddressing it.It is difficult to give a universally acceptable definition of terrorism. Because of its colony on the historical contexts it appears, its definition is embedded in ones political position and ideological or religiousviews. What one may call terrorism in one context another may consider it a legitimate action. This poses a challenge to term an actor a terrorist.Some governments, groups and individuals use terrorising activities for distinct purposes. For these reasons, here the term terrorism rather than terrorist is preferred. act of terrorism is, therefore, a set of premeditated actions or strategies adopted by non-state (groups or individuals) or state actors against unexceptional and targeted notable people to further certain political, social, or religious purposes (Sandler, 2011 Ramsbotham, Woodhouse and Miall, 2011).Without prejudice to state and government terrorist activities existing in some non-democratic countries, this research will decoct more on the violent activities perpetrated by the non-state actors. The actors in terrorism use strategies intended to causeextreme anxiety and fear in a wider existence, who theactors hope wouldin turn supercharge their governments into acceding to the perpetrator/s demands. We consider terrorist act any form of action that intentionally force people into submission to the will and wish of the actor under the pain of physical and psychological harm (including destruction of life and property).Terrorist activities be not recent phenomenon, although the magnitude of its violence and casualties of our time is impressive. Today, at the dawn of the twenty-first century, the world experiences the era of the politico-religious wave terrorism. Putting aside the harrowing and terrorizing local experiences of terrorist activities in individual countries throughout the world (e.g., pogroms, criminal activities of groups, of drag cartels and gangs, and state sponsored activities in some countries), t he major waves of terrorism(Rapoport, 2008) indicate the growing trends of terrorism globally. Todays form of terrorism has grown more complicated and transnational, which the IGAD region and Kenya in particular experiences.The experience of Africa of the politico-religious terrorism is recent and growing phenomenon. It is continuing in some countries and emerging in other countries of the Continent. In Northern Africa, it has been off and on Algeria Mali, Niger and Mauritania have been struggling with Al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb since 2001, with another break away branch Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MOJWA) in mid-2011 led by a black African, perhaps in reaction to Algerian Arab domination. It remains an al Qaida inspired group. Egypt has a long experience of on-and-off attacks. Somalia in Eastern Africa has been a place for the new breed of terrorism, Al Shabab with links to Al Quida. The Boko Haram, a Sunni Islamic fundamentalist sect began in 2002 with one M ohammed Yusuf in Maiduguri, the capital of the north-eastern state of Borno, Nigeria, with a complex religious school that attracted young people from the country and its neighbours. The students came mainly from poor Muslim families. It has moved to a stem turn militant Islamist movement, a salafist jihadi group with the influence of Wahhabi creed, with expressed claim of commitment to the propagation of the teaching of Prophet and Jihad, and strict adherence to sharia law, and with romance of changingNigeria into an Islamic state. It is continuing with devastating activities in Nigeria, particularly since 2009,and now (in 2014) expanding even into northern Cameroon.The IGAD region of Africa is rife with terrorism perpetrated by the non-state actors.IGAD region comprises eight countries, namely Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, with its headquarters in Djibouti City. It was founded in 1986 to address the serious sufferings and challenges caused by famine, natural disasters, and economic hardships in the Eastern Africa Region. Today, with its new organisational structure, the member countries foster in the areas of foodsecurity and environmental protection promotion and maintenance of peace and security and humanitarian affairs and economic cooperation and integration (IGAD, http//igad.int/). The region has an estimated population of 242,226,382 according to the July 2014 CIAs The World Factbook, and suffers constant threat of terrorism, the experience of which is being deeply felt in KenyaKenyas population, according The World Factbook, is estimated to be 45,010,056.The Christians account for the majority of the population (82.5%), followed by Muslims (11.1%) according to the Population and Housing Census of 2009. In the IGAD region, Kenya it has been the host of the largest refugee population, although at the moment with the flow of South Sudanese refugees Ethiopia contains slightly more refugee population.Kenya h as see terrorism by non-state actors since 1950s. The shifta activities in the northern Kenya, and the ensuing state actions were forms of terrorism. Today, Kenya suffers from both national and transnational acts of politico-religious terrorism. The country has been employing different mechanisms of addressing the problem of non-state form of terrorism, mainly management on military means but also in recent times through constitutional reforms to address the sources. These have not shown reduction in terrorism the experience of nationalist form of terrorism is continuing the politico-religious form of terrorism is rising.Globally, the period starting from the 2004 pick of terrorism incidents to 2008 showed a considerable sink in international terrorist attacks(Ramsbotham et al., 2011, p. 80). But the situations today in the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, northern Africa, and the IGAD regionare no consolation to us. It shows the exponential rise of terrorism in these split of the regions of the world. The 2014 Global Peace Index cross concludes The world has become less peaceful every year since 2008 (p. 2). This indicates the importance of better understanding of the nature of the betrothal and its trends to be able to face the challenge.1.2 Statement of the ProblemKenya faces a more aggressive, dynamic and destructive form of terrorism with tactics causing a long physical, psychological, and economic damages to the society. The approaches that have been used so far appear to be ineffective. There is a need to assess the nature of terrorism and the mechanisms that have been applied in addressing it.1.3 Purpose of the StudyThis research explores the nature of terrorism and mechanisms available in addressing it.1.4 Objectives of the StudyTo determine the relationship between terrorism and godlinessTo document trends in terrorism in KenyaTo determine the effect of terrorism on peace and developmentTo determine feasibility conditions of terrorismTo determi ne mechanisms of combating terrorism1.5 Research QuestionsWhat is the relationship between terrorism and religious belief?Are there trends in terrorism in Kenya?What effects does terrorism have on peace and development?What are the feasibility conditions of terrorism?What mechanisms are available in combating terrorism?1.6 Theoretical FrameworkThis research uses two complementary theories theory of uncorrupted governance and theory of strong state. (The assumptions of these theories will be added).1.7 Justification of the StudyTo make contribution towards the knowledge of terrorismOffer comprehensive analysis on terrorism in Kenya for policy makersOffer recommendations germane(predicate) for the process of addressing the problem2. LITERATURE REVIEW2.1 Understanding the Link between Religion and TerrorismIn the literary works, there seem to be two broad categories into which the scholars postulate those who consider religion as not being the cause of terrorism, but instead argue that the causes for violence are due to politics or societal problems (extreme poverty, hunger, etc.) (Jackson, 2007 Mamdani, 2002 Ehrlich Liu 2002 Frisch, 2005Mousseau, 2002). The second category includes scholars who argue that religion is among the main driving forces of terror(Crenshaw, 2000 Pearce, 2005Silberman, Higgins Dweck,2005Cliteur, 2010 Rid, 2010 KruglanskiFishman, 2006 Horowitz, 2009). Both groups agree that that religion is not the cause of terrorism. However, these authors have not investigated specific religious motivations involved in the terrorism. This research tries to examine more specifically the religious motivations provided by Islam that draws recruits in Kenya, so as to better understand and address the issue.2.2 Feasibility conditions of TerrorismA number of factors breed terrorism. The most common factors cited in most of the literature include external support (Pillar, 2001 Campbell Flournoy, 2001), repressive governments (Regan, 2005Bjoro, 2003 Netany ahu, 2001 Carson, 2005), extremist religious ideologies (CilliersSturman 2002Moustapha, 2002), and socio-economic conditions among the Muslim populations (Campbell Flournoy, 2001 Pillar, 2001 Carson ,2005).2.3 Impact of terrorism in KenyaDespite Kenya being a victim of retell terrorist attacks, not much literature is available covering the impact the threat has had on the country in terms of peace and security. Some literature relevant to this research highlight the socioeconomic impacts of the threat (Lecey, 2004Barkan Cooke, 2001 Muhula, 2007 Downing, 2006 ). This research to determine the extent to which terrorism has affected Kenya.2.4 Combating TerrorismSome elements of an effective counterterrorism strategy relevant to this research, cited by various authors, are public diplomacy and information campaigns(Pillar, 2001) legislation financial controls (Pillar, 2001Thomas et al. 2004) and socioeconomic development (Lee, 2004Campbell Flournoy, 2001) use of military force (Netanya hu, 2001Juergensmeyer, 2001) and creation of a specialized judicial system for terrorism suspects (Hoffman and Morrison, 2000 Netanyahu, 2001 Shapiro Benedict, 2003). International collaboration is also another aspect that has been underscored (Ramsbotham et al., 2011). How much these will be effective in addressing Terrorism in Kenya will be discussed.3. METHODOLOGYThe research plan hopes to achieve the objectives through multiple answering of the research questions thereby coming up with answers that are social science empirical research knowledge. This knowledge will not only make a contribution to what is already known about the nature and dynamics of terrorism in Kenya, but also be valuable in terms of informing policy in Kenya as is synoptically described below.Research SiteAreas of Eastern and Northern Kenya and also selected urban places of the country as a wholePopulationAdult men and women who are knowledgeable choose (experience based) or indirect (Secondary source bas ed) about terrorist and terrorism in Kenya.StrategyOne- off cross-sectional survey will be used. Specifically, because the research will be head by questions and not hypotheses, descriptive rather than analytic cross-sectional survey will be employed in the collection of data from the sampled population. indeed the prime purpose will be to provide descriptive estimates of the purview of actors in terrorism, terror acts and terrorism.SamplingDue in part to opting to be guided by research questions rather than hypotheses, the probability sampling principle will be relaxed in large measure but not totally deal out with because of the need to provide estimates of parameters of dynamics of terrorism in Kenya, taking into account Kenyas neighbours ( Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda). The Sample will be constructed from individuals well selected purposefully to meet quotas deemed to be important or salient to getting to know and understand terroristic phenomena what they mean, w hat they entail, what they imply, what they deny, and what to do about them solely in the interest of socio-economic development praxis in Kenya.selective information Collection ProceduresQuantitative and qualitative data will be collected from respondents through questionnaire, structured and unstructured interview and focus group discussions.Tentative cipherBudget linesAmount in USDPreparation and Development of Research tools800Training of Research Assistants1,200Field Research4,500Technical Assistance for Data Analysis1,200Report Writing400Validation Workshop1,000Printing Binding and Distribution900Logistics (Stationary, Communication, Internet)1,500Allowance for Lead researcher and Research Assistants3,500Grand Total15,000BibligographyBarkan, Joel D., and Jennifer G. Cooke.2001. 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