The nature and drivers of insecurity in Kenya

The report identifies three primary categories of insecurity in Kenya: armed civilian groups, state-led violence, and jihadist activities. While al-Shabaab has increased its frequency and deadliness of attacks since the 2011 deployment of troops to Somalia, the report finds that non-al-Shabaab armed groups and state actions have historically caused more fatalities. The analysis highlights systemic drivers of instability, including the legacy of 'imperial presidents', pervasive marginalisation—particularly regarding land distribution at the coast and in the Rift Valley—and the politicisation of security for electoral gain. It also notes the influence of the regional war economy and porous borders with Somalia, Ethiopia, and Uganda.

• Armed civilian groups, including bandits and criminal gangs, are identified as the primary source of insecurity in Kenya, accounting for 91% of total insecurity-related fatalities since 2008.
• The deployment of Kenyan troops in Somalia starting in October 2011 (Operation Linda Nchi) led to a surge in al-Shabaab activities within Kenya, with the group shifting its focus toward high-profile soft civilian targets.
• The Kenyan state has been a major source of insecurity through heavy-handed responses to civilian activity and a history of mass killings, such as the 1980 Garissa Gubai massacre and the 1984 Wagalla Massacre.
• Pervasive marginalisation and historical injustices regarding land distribution are central drivers of instability, with an estimated 80% of landowners at the coast lacking title deeds.
• Political elites in Kenya frequently employ armed groups to intimidate opponents, particularly during election years such as 1997, 2001, 2005, 2007-2008, and 2013.
• Kenya's insecurity is exacerbated by regional factors, including porous borders and a 'war economy' involving the illicit flow of 'blood sugar', 'blood charcoal', and 'conflict electronics' from Somalia.

APA

Atta-Asamoah, A. (2015). The nature and drivers of insecurity in Kenya. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/East-Africa-Report-2-Kenya.pdf

Chicago

Atta-Asamoah, Andrews. The nature and drivers of insecurity in Kenya. Institute for Security Studies, 2015. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/East-Africa-Report-2-Kenya.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Atta-Asamoah |first1=Andrews |title=The nature and drivers of insecurity in Kenya |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=April 2015 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/East-Africa-Report-2-Kenya.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{attaasamoah2015nature, author = {Atta-Asamoah, Andrews}, title = {{The nature and drivers of insecurity in Kenya}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2015}, month = apr, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/East-Africa-Report-2-Kenya.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }