Yet, despite this renewed interest, countries on the continent have been experiencing manifestations of this. Background report alshabaab attack on garissa university in. Department of state and the fbi announced that they have partnered with kenya to establish the first ever joint terrorism task force jttf outside of the united states. Terrorism in kenya by koome gikunda graduating senior introduction kenya has been the battlefield of tragic terrorist attacks on western interests twice since 1998 once in 1998 when the us embassy was attacked and a second time in 2002 when a israeliowned paradise hotel was bombed. Rise of terrorism in africa manohar parrikar institute for. The latter has harmed the countrys economy, particularly the tourism sector, and there is widespread doubt about the governments will and ability to deal with the situation. This realization has led to the formation of a counter terrorism strategy to help stop the spread of terrorism in somalia without the use of war or violence. In 1980, the jewishowned norfolk hotel was attacked by the palestine liberation organization plo. Kenya has played host to various heart rending episodes of acts of terrorism. Terrorism is referred to as the use of force or violence for political purpose. Since 2008, when alshabaab launched its first attack in the country, kenya has experienced more than 330 attacks, an average of approximately 47 attacks a. The trend has changed, and over the last few years there has been a sharp rise in terrorism especially in nigeria, niger, mali, chad, cameroun, somalia, sudan, uganda and kenya. Terrorism threat in the country public intelligence. Nairobi, 6 may 20 irin unemployment, poverty and political marginalization are contributing to the islamic radicalization of kenyas youth, a situation experts say must be addressed through.
Case study of kenya article pdf available in ssrn electronic journal april 2011 with 9,320 reads how we measure reads. Shaykh ahmad iman ali is the leader of kenyan terrorist group alhijra, also known as the muslim youth center myc. In the 15 years since the embassy bombings in kenya and tanzania. Terrorism 3 most devastating terror attacks in kenya. The kenyaled team will be based in nairobi, will follow the u. In 1980, jewishowned norfolk hotel was attacked by the plo. The operations of alshabaab that include terrorist training camps and the islamic courts union camps are furthering the ideas, rules and the law of the alshabaab. Sep 30, 20 the attack in kenya should remind the u. In 20, the militant group alshabaab killed 67 people at nairobi s.
Additionally, it may be recommended to conduct investigations of terrorism that combine a variety of. These are the saddest kenyan celebritys deaths 2016 and the real reason they died 2. Analysing the impact of terrorism on kenya tourism essay. Of the three countries mentioned above, kenya has experienced the most attacks within its borders. Over the past 5 years a total number of 373 terrorist incidents has been recorded, in which 929 people have been killed and 1149 injured. Terrorism in kenya has resulted in not only the loss of. There are concerns that since the terrorism groups in somalia are linked to the alqaeda especially the alshabaab there is a chance that the threat of terrorism is far from over. This paper examines terrorism and its attendant incidences in kenya from. There is a need for the development of an antiterrorism legislation in kenya. International terrorism is a significant threat to world peace and security, and as such remains high on the agenda within policy and intelligence circles. Pdf terrorism has proved to be a phenomenon that targets human society.
The concept of terrorism is, however, a broad one in that due to its intricate nature, defining it has never been an easy task. The decision by the united states to create africom, a separate military command in africa, as a standby military force is the clearest indication that africa is now. Kenya has been the scene of various attacks attributed to terrorist elements. Kenya because of its cooperation with the us on counterterrorism programs. Here are the 3 most devastating terrorist attacks in kenya. The definition of terrorism from a fanatical religious leader will differ from a law enforcement agent schmid, 2004. Published by the national council for law reporting.
Terrorism threats continue to heighten with alshabaab operatives hiring criminals to throw grenades at public transport vehicles and other targets. Its creation responded to the development of a national counter terrorism strategy in april 2003 reflecting the concern of the national leadership about the sharp escalation of the terrorist threat to kenya. One of the partners in the war on terrorism is kenya. In africa, the notion of terrorism itself can be traced back to anticolonial struggles whilst the more recent terrorist attacks in kenya and tanzania give some indication of the severity of the threat of terrorism in the horn of africa. Hotels were almost collapsing and thousands of kenyans lost their jobs.
The republic of kenyas unique social, cultural, religious, political, psychological, and economic aspects factor emergence of diverse genera of terrorists. Though the attack on the westgate mall last fall is the driver of kenyas current antiterrorism campaign, the country knows terrorism well. By this definition, terrorism in kenya may be said to have involved. The terrorists have staged attacks on various parts of the country with the intention of killing. A kenyan muslim holds up a sign during protest against terrorismrelated. With the heightened concerns on terrorism, there is a possibility that the government will employ the policy in a stricter manner to confine refugees and especially somalis to the camps, severely restricting their freedom of movement and right to work. Domestic radicalisation in kenya longdom publishing sl. For instance, sheik hassan mahat, preacher alamin mosque, eastleigh nairobi, often pays ksh. Continental efforts in preventing and combating terrorism have a long history. Legal and policy dilemma in the fight against terrorism. There is a heightened threat of terrorism, including terrorist kidnappings, across kenya. At the third india africa forum summit in 2015, and during prime minister narendra modis visit to kenya and south africa in 2016, the issue of cooperation in counterterrorism was raised. Since 2008, when alshabaab launched its first attack in the country, kenya has experienced more than 330 attacks, an average of approximately 47 attacks a year.
Radicalisation and terrorist recruitment among kenyas youth. Globally, the country took a less important role for terrorism so far. The group is affiliated with al shabaab, having openly pledged allegiance to them, and has been implicated in a series of bombings in nairobi as well as the recruitment of youths in kenya to join al shabaab in somalia. It does not differentiate between men and women as targets of radicalisation. The closest that kenyas legal system has come in definition of terrorism is to be derived from the prevention of terrorism act, 2012 where the term terrorist act is defined to mean. In 1998, kenya experienced its first major terrorist hit when. Evaluating kenyas tourism crisis the purpose of this paper is to provide information that can aid in the development of a crisis management plan for kenya. In the past, terrorism occurred in various frameworks as crime, politics, war, propaganda and religion. In 1992, the organization of african unity oau, meeting at its 28th ordinary session, held in dakar, senegal, adopted a resolution on the strengthening of.
S is committed to deny the al qaeda, the alshabaab and other terrorists a safe haven in somalia. Kenya, there is a large population of somalis living in nairobi and other urban areas. Muslim youth center alhijra kenya terrorist groups. The country is also central to the region and thus deserves closer scrutiny. This recent evidence supports suspicion of the increased involvement of tanzania within these regional and global terrorist networks. Terrorism has multiple causes, however, all terrorists share one common objective, killing and harming innocent civilians for their cause. Jun 10, 2014 though the attack on the westgate mall last fall is the driver of kenyas current antiterrorism campaign, the country knows terrorism well. Terrorism in kenya has resulted in not only the loss of lives, personal suffering and pain, but also in growing instability and a heightened sense of insecurity. Deals with the aftermath of terrorism or counter terrorism operation intended to build confidence and trust in ct agencies strengthens the role of the state and its responsibility to protect.
Mandera alshabaab attack that claimed lives of 10 actors. The core leadership of the kenyan cell consisted primarily of citizens of the gulf states, somalia, pakistan, and the comoro islands who had assimilated into local cultures along the indian ocean seaabout the institute the united states institute of peace is an. For many,however, it is preceded by cycles of social psychological and economic crises that produce no hope mentality. Typically, terrorism is associated with deadly attacks on civilians, such as the friday, august 7, 1998 bombing at the us embassies in nairobi, kenya and daressalaam odhiambo et al, 2010.
Attacks, including terrorist kidnappings, could target westerners, including british nationals. From 19702007, kenya experienced 190 terrorist attacks, an average of just over 5 attacks a year. They have constantly taken responsibilities on a number of occasions. In 1998, the us embassy in nairobi was bombed, as was the israeliowned paradise hotel in 2002. Looking back on this list, it fits the many studies which argue that a range of factors combine. Alshabaab terrorists propaganda and the kenya government. A person who conspires to commit a terrorist act abroad while in kenya or with a person in kenya commits an offense and is, on conviction, subject to a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment. Kenya because of its cooperation with the us on counter terrorism programs. As the world becomes more technologically advanced, terrorism has risen as a major setback to the advancement of the human race.
Kenya, specifically, has been hard hit by terrorist attacks during the past twenty years or so. The kenya led team will be based in nairobi, will follow the u. There is a need for the development of an anti terrorism legislation in kenya. Countering the radicalization of kenyas youth kenya. It has become frequent in kenya due to the presence of kenya defense forces in somali. From the 1998 bombing of the us embassy in nairobi. Terrorism in kenya has put the once tourist favourite nation into a state of sadness and loss. Kenyas case study in homegrown terrorism public radio. Terrorism in kenya has affected the tourism industry.
The attack on bisharo hotel on tuesday, october 25, claimed the lives 10 actors who had visited the town to perform kcse set plays at various schools in the county. Considering kenyas recent experience with terrorist acts, their effects. Kenya contributed to the radicalisation of kenyan nationals. Kenya terrorism index 20022018 data 20192020 forecast. Aug 25, 2015 the trend has changed, and over the last few years there has been a sharp rise in terrorism especially in nigeria, niger, mali, chad, cameroun, somalia, sudan, uganda and kenya. Terrorists have struck various times in kenya claiming innocent lives whenever they do. As african countries look towards the international community in their fight against terrorism, friendly support from india will go a long way in taking. The national counter terrorism centre was established in 2004 by a decision of the cabinet. Rise of terrorism in africa manohar parrikar institute.
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