A critical analysis of post cold war emerging dimensions of security

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the societal dimensions of security in Kenya. In achieving this objective, the study has examined the debates relating to the concept of security. The study acknowledges that the understanding and the conceptualization of the term security is contested. The contestation arises from the neglect of the field of security studies for along time in favour of other subject areas in International Relations and the predominance of the state as the principal referent object of security. In the ensuing debates, this study recognizes the widened approach to the study of security in which issues in the sectors of economics, environment, society, political, in additional to the military are considered. In addition, the study recognizes the emergence of the concept of human security which while advocates for protection of fundamental freedoms.,. further broadens the conceptual lenses from which to examine the concept of security. The debates on the societal dimensions of security are driven by putting the individual as the referent object of security and more specifically examining existential threats to matters of identity. Thus societal security issues are considered as those matters that threaten the survival of the society's identity, and therefore warrant some serious action above normal politics. Given the understanding of the concept of security and how the Securitization process can be applied to a specific referent object, this study has identified Corruption as a societal 1' security issue in Kenya. The study concludes that, corruption, as an event put through the Securitization process indeed passes 'as a societal security matter. The existence of corruption in Kenya and the existential threat it poses to the Kenyan society touches on the core values of Kenyans.