Cross-Border Banditry Influencing National Security Along Kenya–Ethiopia Border

Abstract

Banditry in Kenya continues to pose a serious security threat, especially along cross-border regions. This paper examined cross-border banditry influencing national security along Kenya–Ethiopia border. Specific objectives included examining the drivers of cross-border banditry along the Kenya–Ethiopia border and assessing how competition over transboundary natural resources impacts cross-border national security along Kenya–Ethiopia border. Regional Security Complex Theory and Neoliberal Institutionalism Theory guided the study. It adopted a descriptive research design, with a target population of 200, comprising local community members, law enforcement officials, government representatives, and NGOs working in the region. Stratified purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 133 individuals, calculated using Yamane formula. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, which was analyzed descriptively, inferentially, and using the thematic content analysis method. The findings indicated that poverty, and resource competition are significantly linked to banditry. Multiple regression analysis showed that both of the predictors of cross-border banditry activities (β = 0. 331, p=0.000 < 0.05) and resource competition (β = 0. 246, p=0.001 < 0.05) significantly influenced banditry. The study concluded that banditry along Kenya-Ethiopia border is a sign of deeper socioeconomic deprivation and inadequate institutional solutions. The recommendations included creating legislation to reduce poverty, improving access to education and career training, encouraging prudent use of natural resources, and including community leaders in the process of changing cultural norms.