Security Threats That Led to the Deployment of Kenya Military Contingents in Congo

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze security threats that led to the deployment of Kenya Military Contingents (KENCOM) troops in the DRC. An interview guide and document guide formed the data collection tools that helped obtain data from a sample population of 23 respondents. The 23 participants were purposively selected and made of five Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff in Kenya, five personnel of the DRC embassy in Kenya, three political analysts from Kenya, five academicians, and five Kenyans living in the DRC. In addition to the primary data, the study also collected secondary data from newspapers, published research papers, and other collaborative media reports. Qualitative analysis in thematic and narrative format helped analyze the collected data. The results showed that the security threats that resulted in the deployment of KENCOM included the threat to regional stability, the rise of several extremist groups such as the M-23, the need for regional cooperation on matters of peace and security and the UN mission which required other EACRF forces to be on board alongside the UN humanitarian personnel in the affected areas. The study concluded that given the tenets of the expected utility theory of international conflict, even though Kenya may have appeared to act in a manner to safeguard the interests of the DRC