Track One and A Half Diplomatic Approaches to Non-State Violence and Their Impact On National Security: A Case of Banditry in Kenya

Abstract

Communal conflict and non-state armed violence remain critical challenges to human security and state stability globally, with Sub-Saharan Africa experiencing acute manifestations. In Kenya, the rise of banditry attacks constitutes a major threat to national security and undermines state authority. This study examines Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) diplomacy as a soft-power and peacebuilding instrument for enhancing national security, focusing on banditry attacks in the Igembe North Subcounty of Meru County. By applying international relations and peace studies theories, including conflict transformation theory, pluralism theory, and human security paradigms, the study investigates how mediation, negotiation, conciliation, and traditional dispute resolution mechanisms can de-escalate armed violence and foster durable peace. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, triangulating qualitative and quantitative data to engage key stakeholders such as national administration officers, religious leaders, and community elders. Data collection involved open-ended questionnaires and a pilot study to ensure reliability and validity. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS to generate descriptive and inferential findings. Results indicate that negotiations and conciliatory mechanisms significantly enhance national security by reducing the incidence of banditry, while traditional dispute resolution provides homegrown, culturally resonant pathways for conflict transformation. Mediation processes emerged as essential to building a cohesive society and restoring state legitimacy. The study concludes by recommending policy harmonization between formal state structures and informal ADR systems, capacity building for local leaders in negotiation and mediation, and community awareness programs on peacebuilding. By situating ADR within a broader diplomatic and international relations framework, this research underscores the role of non-coercive, inclusive approaches to mitigating non-state armed violence in fragile contexts.