The United States-Africa command’s geopolitical strategies: Reconfiguring Kenya-United States military diplomacy

Ochieng’ Mark Oduor; Pontian Godfrey Okoth; Adar  Korwa Gombe

doi:10.51867/AQSSR.3.4.59

Authors

Ochieng’ Mark Oduor Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5089-4848
Okoth Pontian Godfrey Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8369-9029
Adar Korwa Gombe Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8443-7482

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/AQSSR.3.4.59

Keywords:

Military Diplomacy, Strategic Autonomy, USAFRICOM’s Geopolitical Strategies

Abstract

Across the globe, there a number of United States’ combatant commands. United States African Command’s (USAFRICOM) creation can be interpreted as a sign of increasing U.S focus on security in Africa. This study therefore, examines how USAFRICOM’s geopolitical strategies are reconfiguring Kenya-U. S military diplomacy. Located within the broader scope of post-9/11 counterterrorism operations and shifting geopolitical disputations in Africa, the study assesses the effectiveness of geopolitical strategies of USAFRICOM in bolstering Kenya-U. S military diplomacy. Despite deepening military cooperation, existing asymmetries in decision-making, resource control and operational priorities remain unaddressed with sovereignty and long-term dependency raising critical questions about Kenya’s strategic autonomy. The study was underpinned by Regional Security Complex Theory, which explicates security interdependence within proximate regions and power theory which interrogates asymmetries and hegemonic influence between Kenya and the U.S. Philosophically, the study employed pragmatism as a paradigm that emphasizes methodological flexibility and knowledge based on practical consequences. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The study targeted a total of 300 respondents drawn from combatants from Kenya-Kenya Defense Forces and base affiliated personnel in Lamu county, (250) and 50 US-rotational personnel in Nairobi County, as well as 60 key informants drawn from US embassy Defence Attaché, think tanks, international relations analysts, geo-security experts. The sample size was 125 drawn from 201 questionnaires distributed, duly filled and returned. The findings of the study reveal that military engagements and interoperability were key geopolitical strategy with 72% of the respondents affirming, Additionally, the study underscores that geo-strategic military posturing is crucial within the geopolitical rivalry between the US and Russia that puts Kenya into a partnership conundrum. Therefore, the study concludes that USAFRICOM’s geopolitical strategies have significantly reconfigured Kenya-US military diplomacy. USAFRICOM has created a strategic partnership anchored on defence cooperation and geopolitical alignment. However, despite the long-term geopolitical engagement with USAFRICOM, balancing Kenya’s sovereignty and strategic autonomy is crucial. This study, recommends that a more balanced strategic partnership be created to enhance Kenya’s strategic autonomy as well as fortifying localized defence capacity.

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