Alternative Dispute Resolution Diplomacy and its Impact on National Security, A Case Study on Banditry Attacks in Kenya

Abstract

Communal conflict has been a global challenge that has hampered state of national security in many countries across the globe and SubSaharan has been mostly affected. In Kenya, communal conflicts has been a great threat to peace and stability, the Kenyan government has therefore invested a lot of resources to mitigate the problem. The wave of banditry attacks have spread recently to other neighbouring counties, Meru County and in particular the Igembe region being the most recent county to suffer from this wave. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of alternative dispute resolution, as a diplomatic avenue of enhancing national security. The study specifically investigate the influence of mediation, negotiation, conciliation and traditional dispute resolution mechanism in resolving banditry in the Igembe north subcounty of Meru County. The study was underpinned by theory of conflict, process of pluralism theory and the general theory on conflict and dispute. The study adopted mixed research methods where qualitative and quantitative results were triangulated. The study engaged national administration officers, religious leaders and village elders at the location level in the subcounty, thus census was appropriate as members from each location was represented by selected leaders. The study collected primary data using open ended questionnaire. The study undertook pilot from a selected location in the subcounty to test reliability and validity of research instuments. Data was analyzed using SPSS software and generated in form of descriptive and inferential statistics. Negotiations findings significantly affected national security enhancement. Conciliatory mechanisms has positive and significant effect on enhancing national security, focus on banditry attacks in Igembe North subcounty. Traditional dispute resolution has a positive and significant effect on enhancing national security, focus on banditry attacks in Igembe North Subcounty. The study concluded that mediation process and principles are fundamental in realizing cohesive society. The traditional dispute resolution provide homegrown solutions that is paramount in resolving conflict attributed to banditry attacks. The study recommended strengthening policy and legislation framework to harmonize the existing formal regulation to collaborate with this mechanism.