COUNTERING TERRORISM THROUGH ICT USAGE; A CASE OF KENYA, 1998 - 2013

Abstract

Terrorism has long been associated with unprecedented, sustained and continued violent attacks, loss of lives and destruction of property. The actions and activities of terrorists’ impact on safety and security of the population, infrastructure and installations. Terrorism and related operations have been responsible for the mass commission of crimes including forced settlements, mass transfer of the population, persecution and murders among other vices. Countries experiencing terrorism related actions have not been able to register any growth in the economic, social, political and technological spheres and in the process are unable to discharge their primary responsibilities. Due to its negative consequences, terrorism needs to be countered through the adoption of the most effective mechanisms. This study sought to determine the impact of ICT based tools as counterterrorism strategy. The study was guided by three objectives: to establish the impact of ICT based planning system as a counterterrorism strategy; (2) to examine the impacts of ICT based intelligence gathering as a counterterrorism strategy and (3) to assess the impacts of ICT based communication as a counterterrorism strategy. The study was designed to test three main hypotheses: (1) if ICT based planning system is applied as a counterterrorism strategy then terrorism in Kenya would reduce by 72%; (2) if ICT based intelligence gathering system is applied as a counterterrorism strategy then terrorism in Kenya would reduce by 75%^and (3) if ICT based communication is applied as a counterterrorism strategy then terrorism in Kenya would reduce by 60%. The findings of the study showed that ICT tools of planning, intelligence and communication have a huge and generally more positive impacts on the fight against terrorism in Kenya and the world over. The findings further indicated that the use of ICT based planning, intelligence and communication process have contributed greatly to the reduction of terrorism by varied degrees ranging from 60% to 80%. The study concluded that ICT tools remain the most significant and important strategy in the fight against terrorism today and in future. ICT based planning, communication and intelligence processes have brought tremendous developments through improved response times, location of sites, knowledge of operation and plans. This is achieved through increased accuracy, speed, simplicity, efficiency and economy. The study recommends that ICT based tools be adopted as the official strategy for fighting terrorism in Kenya and the world over.