The domestic context of kenya's foreign policy on international terrorism: 1998 - 2004

Abstract

The participation of the domestic context in politics can be traced to the time of Kenya's independence in 1963. However, the degree of its involvement was determined by the democratic space afforded by the successive regimes. During Kenyatta's regime, the domestic context was very active but had domestic rather than foreign policy as their object. On the other hand, during Moi's regime the partners in the domestic context were threatened, censored, banned or procrastinated, reducing their activity to a bare minimum. After introduction of multiparty politics, the activity of the domestic context was once again revived. This participation increased in tempo when Kenya became a target of international terrorism in 1998 and 2002, because the responses of the state to these acts, were perceived as discriminating against sections of the population. The diversity of partners and interests within the domestic context, has led to delays in formulating and implementing policy on international terrorism. The intense influence of the civil society, legislature, political opposition and the media has caused the government to drag its feet in policy making, leading to inconsistency and uncertainty of responses in this area. Therefore, the Kenyan government needs to encourage and participate in bargaining with the different partners in the domestic context, in order to reach a consensus on the most effective measure in countering this threat to its national security.