MARITIME SECURITY AND RESOURCE EXPLOITATION; THE ROLE FOR INTER AGENCY COORDINATION

Abstract

Kenya’s maritime zones are estimated at 230,000Km2 which is approximately 40 percent of the country’s total landmass. This area is referred to as the maritime domain and plays a vital role in Kenya’s economic development. The importance of maritime trade to Kenya’s economy and its potential contribution to economic development is demonstrated by the simple fact that 92% of Kenya’s international trade, by volume, is carried by sea. Kenya’s maritime domain is subject to a wide array of security threats, ranging from piracy and armed robbery against ships, to threats from maritime terrorism and the unlawful trade in weapons, smuggling, trafficking in narcotics and in persons, and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and marine pollution. These maritime threats negatively impact on Kenya’s sea borne trade and has exposed the inadequacy of the national maritime safety and security agencies in providing comprehensive maritime security. This can mainly be attributed to relatively few resources devoted to maritime security, limited capacity to conduct extensive maritime surveillance and interdiction operations, insufficient legal frameworks and lack of a formal mechanism for close integration and co¬ ordination of their activities. This state of affairs has led to an ineffective intervention at the national level and thus significantly contributing to maritime security and negative exploitation of marine resources. The objective of this study was to analyze the existing maritime security structure in Kenya and show how interagency coordination can enhance effectiveness in the provision of maritime security and marine resource exploitation, using the securitization theory as basis for analysis. Exploratory research was used in the study with focus on both qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Key informant interviews were the primary means of data collection. Participants were specialists in maritime affairs drawn from wide areas of specialization in Government, Private Sector and Academia. Data was analyzed through the Delphi method. The study reveals that the maritime security threats impact negatively on Kenya Kenya’s maritime economy and the national maritime safety and security agencies are inadequately equipped and ill prepared to provide maritime security. Finally, this study recommends the close integration and coordination of the various maritime security agencies to close the gaps that have been exploited by the criminal gangs in Kenyan waters.