Assessing the influence of Kenya’s space exploration on its foreign policy dynamics with the United States

Andrew Wekesa Webukha; Elijah Onyango Standslause Odhiambo

doi:10.51867/AQSSR.2.2.33

Authors

Andrew Wekesa Webukha Mount Kenya University, Kenya Author https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1568-4053
Elijah Onyango Standslause Odhiambo Bomet University College, Kenya Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4048-3962

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/AQSSR.2.2.33

Keywords:

Challenges, Exploration, Foreign Policy, Opportunities, Space

Abstract

The USA, Russia, and China have historically dominated the space race, with the African continent recently venturing into it. Kenya formed its own Kenya Space Agency to spearhead the process. This study investigated the influence of Kenya’s space exploration on its foreign policy dynamics with the United States. The objective was to evaluate challenges and opportunities of Kenya-USA relations in space exploration in regard to foreign policy. The research adopted a correlational method of study to examine relationships between the countries, borrowing from systems theory and grounded theory. The study adopted a stratified random sampling method. It involved stratifying the population, defining a number of separate partitions using sample size, and combining the results to obtain the required stratified sample. By ensuring that each stratum is represented in the sample, stratified sampling helped to ensure that the sample reflects the diversity of the population. A total of 200 respondents were selected from different types of stakeholders. A sample size of 200 provides sufficient power to detect meaningful effects or relationships. A sample of 100 respondents was drawn from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; 50 were space experts and 50 were diplomats drawn from the two countries. Data was collected through the conduct of interviews with the various respondents from the sampled population. Data collected was analyzed qualitatively before making desirable conclusions. The research established that Kenya benefits through technological exchanges, international cooperation, and educational and scientific exchanges. Security agencies benefit through enhanced Earth observation, intelligence gathering, improved communication and navigation systems, and space situational awareness. The study concluded that space benefits are vast and are drivers of economic liberty and development in an economy. Mutually beneficial relationships are an avenue for individuals to freely interact with others for a joint development. These all greatly shape policies adopted as well as the justification of the policies. The benefits outweigh the losses for Kenya, considering the national interests as well as the future, which will be space technology-driven. The researcher suggests exploring long-term effects of space exploration on the regional influence of Kenya, the role played by the private sector partnerships, and comparative studies with other African countries that are pursuing space exploration. Studies are to be conducted on the long-term collaboration impacts not only with Kenya but with the entire African continent.

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