Successes and Failures Borne Out of Having or Not Having Multi-Agency Laws, Policies, Doctrines, and Strategies Regarding Terror Response Coordination

Abstract

Terrorism has had been a real menace facing Kenya over the years.The study question sought to find out the successes and failures borne out of having/not having multi-agency laws, policies, doctrines and strategies regarding terror response coordination.Based on the mixed methods and exploratory research designs data was collected from a sample of 97. These were drawn from a target population of 3400 which included all the members of the Kenya Defense Forces Special Operations Forces (KDF SoFs), the National Police Service (NPS) Recce squad, ATPU Officers, policy level military, intelligence and police officersand a few members of academia. The target population is estimated at 3400 personnel from which a sample of 97 was obtained. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and interviews whilesecondary data was also obtained using desk review of relevant literature. Data was analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. The findings show that the existence of structural and legal frameworks guiding multi-agency operations on countering terrorism in Kenya had led to effective response through standardizations of operation guidelines, better sharing of information, joint training and exchange of best practices among the various responders. This was evidenced in the Dusit D2 Attack in which synchronization of operations showed better response to the attack by the various operational and tactical teams as compared to the Westgate Attack. Lastly, it is evident that Kenya is yet to know that it has dealt with the terrorism menace. This can only be attested when the country stays for a long period of time without an attack, say more than 5 years.Basedon the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made. There is need for domesticating the existentstructural and legal frameworks guiding multi-agency operations on countering terrorism in Kenya so as to enhance the effectiveness of response to terrorism through standardizations of operation guidelines, better sharing of information, joint training and exchange of best practices among the various responders. Regular review of any gaps in the existing structural and legal frameworks should be undertaken and measures put in place to bridge those gaps through continuous legislation.