The role of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is outlined in the constitution of Kenya and informs its existence and posture. The constitution envisaging the fluid nature of world politics, economies and security gives ample room for KDF to continuously reform to meet contemporary security challenges. Since independence certain changes in the world politics such as the end of the cold war and the emergence of globalization has had serious ramifications on national security. The democratic space the same constitution has bestowed on Kenyans coupled with a free and competitive press have had fundamental changes in how security is viewed and appreciated. The KDF has been an effective institution of government and has continued to deliver security and humanitarian support to the citizens of Kenya, however, there is need to transform some areas for better public service or its linkage with other institutions of government to deliver the services.
2. Advocacy is a term with many definitions. It is defined as ‘an act of directly representing or defending others’ (Baker, 1995, p 11). It is also defined as ‘the act of directly representing, defending, intervening, supporting or recommending a course of action on behalf of one or more individuals, groups or communities in this case institutions with the goal of securing or retaining social justice’ (Mickelson, 1995, p 95). The many definitions of advocacy share in common an action orientation that is systematic and purposeful and which is undertaken to change some condition (Gibelman and Craft, 1996). The main goal of advocacy is change and social transformation.
3. The paper will give background to KDF; highlight the gaps in terms of areas that need to be transformed, resources the institution may require and the need for institutional linkages to ensure success. The background to KDF is necessary to illustrate what it is the institution inspires to achieve for the country which further informs the need for the complex and diverse resources.
4. Unlike low level community or humanitarian organization, the KDF operates at the strategic level and depends on the national government for its resourcing. Illustrating resource support by agencies is definitely difficult but the best will be made under the circumstances.
Background to KDF and its mission
5. The laws of Kenya provide for the establishment of the Military to guarantee Kenya’s sovereignty and provide an enabling environment for the government to execute national objectives. The Kenya Military came into being by an Act of Parliament in 1962 (Kenya Military Forces Act, CAP 198). This was subsequently repealed in 1968 by another Act of Parliament creating the Armed Forces Act, CAP 199, which established the Kenya Armed Forces, comprising the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force, Kenya Navy and a small Constabulary force. Under the new Kenyan Constitution that was promulgated on 27 Aug 10: the title Kenya Defence Forces has been adopted and KDF act 2012 enacted and supersede AFA 199. The KDF falls under the Ministry of State for Defence in the Office of the President.
6. The constitution stipulates the mission of KDF as follows:
a. Primary mission is to defend and protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic from external aggression.
b. The secondary mission are to restore peace in situations of unrest or instability but only with the approval of the National Assembly and to assist and cooperate with other authorities in situations of emergency or disaster and report to the National Assembly.
7. From the above mission, the KDF is able to respond to both external and internal threat and assist in situations of national crisis. The variance and safeguard are the process of authorizing KDF engagement in either the secondary or primary missions/
Areas of transformation
8. The mission of KDF has been explicitly articulated in the new constitution as regards the internal role for security, crisis response and support for national socio-economic development. The KDF has been successful in undertaking its tasks such as the shifta campaign 1963 ‘ 1967, campaign against the Sabaot Land Defence Forces in 2008, combating piracy in the Indian Ocean and more recently the incursion into Somalia in 2011 to deal with the terrorist threat posed by Al-Shabaab among others. Despite these successes, it is necessary to relook at how it can be further improved to deliver better services for the people of Kenya.
9. The areas that may require improvement include; KDF Response to National and international humanitarian operations, its interaction with the environment, transparency, gender equality and equity, adherence to the code of conduct and the overall provision of services for our citizens.
Major resources that KDF will require
10. Being a strategic national institution, the KDF cannot depend on agencies, donors and other humanitarian support to serve the people of Kenya. However, resourcing it though at a higher level is necessary.
11. The resources KDF requires are as follows:
a. Financial.
b. Technical.
c. Human capacity.
d. Linkage between national and regional institutions; to include bilaterally linkages on mutual basis with appropriate countries whose ties are crucial [e g Ethiopia – Kenya- defence pact] or UK – Kenya bilateral training arrangements. The linkages enables he institution of KDF to be more representative and effective in service delivery for the country.
e. Getting support in harmonious manner from the legislature, executive and other agencies in the government.
f. Mechanism for coordination at the national level to enhance effort for the delivery of core national defence services by related national security agencies.
g. The military as a symbol of national unity should get support from the populace and establish a symbiotic relationship.
List of institutions or agencies that can provide support
12. The institutions/agencies that are expected to provide resources are as follows:
a. Financial resource – mainly from central government in terms of budgetary appropriation; bilateral support e g China, USA and UK; Appropriation in Aid through either earned paid services or UN re-imbursements for KDF participation in peacekeeping missions. This requires a concerted and diplomatic effort to get the needed funding and to ensure its flow in sustainable manner.
b. Technical ‘ This concerns both the technical knowhow and the hardware in terms of equipment.
c. Human capacity ‘ This can be provided at training institutions for the military here in Kenya which is delivered and controlled by the government; Universities locally and abroad and bilateral military support and engagements.
d. Linkage with other institutions at the local, regional and international levels ‘ There is need to establish coordination mechanism to deliver services; the need to penetrate other institutions to prioritize needs and support each other in the achievement of national objectives. For example; China in 1994 provided for KDF on government to government basis a large cache of buses to help move troops in peace time environment between barracks.
How to help in communication with lower status structure in the organization
12. The institutional linkages in the military and the supporting chain of command from the national level down to a small element in the field is well established. However there is need to develop in the other related institutions in the field of security such as national police service, immigration, the intelligence among others for them to communicate laterally, this has previously been at lower levels in the rural areas where there are frequent breaches of security.
Conclusion
13. The Kenya Defence Forces has acceptably transformed over the years in response to public security needs. As a result KDF is now better placed to serve the people more objectively and transforming the citizenry to better their livelihoods. Focus of KDF is now markedly and with equal emphasis on the one hand to contribute to national development, the creation of a better environment and better public relations while on the other hand providing the core business of national security.