Multiple Actors and Security Dilemma in Turiuna North Region, Kenya

ABSTRACT Turkana North region has witnessed perennial insecurity more than any other region in East Africa. This study sought to establish the role of multiple actors in the security dilemma that engulfed the Turkana North region, with the aim of identifying the security actors, establish the causes of insecurity; examine the challenges faced in security provision and thereafter establish the strategies/measures that can minimize insecurity in the region. Through the use of an exploratory research design and by utilizing a sample of 85 individuals; key informant interviews and focus group discussions, demographic characteristics and key themes were identified. Multiple government and civilian security agencies and individuals, are prominent in the region. Existence of numerous actors reveals disharmony in security provisioning in the area. Regional and endemic fragility, porosity of borders, security policy inertia, poor security infrastructure, prevalence of small arms and light weapons as well as rampant and veracity of cross border pastoral anned conflicts as well as terrorism have emerged as the threats to security and counterterrorism measures and infrastructure development will be key in ensuring security in the region. Reinvigorating communities through purposive partnerships with them and their local elite is essential if we are to deter crime and create more vital neighborhoods. A foundation of trust will allow security agencies to form close relationships with the community that will produce solid achievements. The cross border region where Turkana North is found is a violent region where habits of security and peaceful coexistence are few. The conflicts are many and complex, the causes of conflicts are multifaceted, the conflict issues are remarkably diverse and all these are compounded by diverse cultural, ethnic and historical differences and stereotypes that are difficult to transform and overcome. Armed and violent conflicts have been part of the contemporary history of Africa. A key distinctive feature of trans-boundary pastoral areas such as Turkana North is that; continuing violence seems to be countering positive efforts of conflict mitigation by various peace building actors and deployments by various security apparatus, making the region to oscillate between alternate periods of calm ('peace') and violent conflict. The insecurity situation obtaining in the 'Turkana North triangle' has not been acquiescent and amenable to various security arrangements and solutions by security teams and national government. In fact, the deployed security measures are more at disparity with the obtaining security realities than they coincide.