The Political Economy of Insurge-terrorism and “Covart” in Kenya and Juba Borderlands

Abstract

Kenya’s efforts in containing Al Shabaab at source in Somalia are increasingly constrained by the former’s resolve to expand and consolidate control over alternative geographies of contention. Examining these efforts in spatial and temporal terms, this paper concedes the centrality of the challenges of the distance decay as an animator. It grapples with two related questions: how should a state experiencing differentiated dynamics of distance decay insulate itself from subversion to the extent of prevailing over the insurgency? What variables can animate and mediate such a defeat? Notably, any anticipated defeat has to revolve around the conception of converse counter insurgency efforts. These have to suppose distance decay reduction to effect administration through ideas and organizational frameworks on the affected state’s triage of territory, human and material capital of the state. Here, the net assessment process executed by the State actors has to be anchored around the mobilization and arraying of Clausewitze’s trinity of the people, the army and government to prevail over insurgent resolve. Given both regional and state-centric dynamics that include increasing distance decay, counter insurgency has to evolve taking into consideration the morphing geographies and discourses that frame terrorinsurgency and Insurge-terrorism dual wings of Al Shabaab’s war strategy with state and regional state viability as the end -state.

Keywords: Kenya, Juba-borderland, Al Shabaab, Terror-insurgency, Distance decay

Musambayi Katumanga,Senior Lecturer, University of Nairobi E-mail: mkatumanga@hotmail.com