| dc.description.abstract | Since the end of the Second World War, bilateral and multilateral agreements have been
one of the mechanisms through which growth and development have taken place. For
instance, the United States has a series of agreements with countries north and south of its
borders and with countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Many of these
agreements are in the military, trade and investment, cultural exchanges, diplomacy, and
security. In spite of strong and long-standing bilateral relations between Kenya and India,
military diplomatic relations remain West and hence are not efficacious in making the
cooperation effective in addressing the military inequalities between the two countries. The
study was guided by both general and specific objectives. The general objective was to
interrogate the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation in Kenya-India military-diplomatic
relations since 1963. The specific objectives were to examine the nature of bilateral
cooperation in enhancing Kenya-India military-diplomatic relations since 1963, assess the
dynamics of
Kenya-India Military Diplomatic relations since 1963, and evaluate the
challenges and opportunities arising from Kenya-India military-diplomatic relations since
1963. The specific objectives were complemented with research questions. The literature
review was done thematically as guided by specific research objectives. The study was
underpinned by neoclassical realism theory, securitization theory, and power theory. The
study was guided by a descriptive research design. The study was located in Nairobi,
Kenya, with the Indian High Commission and consulate targeted as well. The study
population constituted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, defense ministry officials,
military personnel, embassy officials, and consular officials, and a total sample size of 344
was used. Stratified random sampling, purposive, and convenience sampling techniques
were used. Semi-structured questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect
data. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data from the open-ended
questions and key informant interviews. Descriptive statistics was used in analyzing
quantitative data with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version
27) statistical software. Descriptive statistics included frequency distribution, percentages,
mean, and standard deviation. The study was guided by both academic and policy
justification reflecting on vision 2030 and Agenda 2063. The major findings of the study
were: security partnerships were found to be the most pronounced nature of Kenya-India
bilateral cooperation with 61.37% indicating so. The study also found that 64.38%
respondents stated
that strategic geopolitical competition was a key political dynamic
factor in Kenya-India military-diplomatic relations. With regard to the challenges, the
study ranked unequal military capacities and capabilities first challenge with 62.66%
respondents affirming so. Besides, funding constraints were found to be another challenge
facing Kenya-India military diplomatic relations. Overall, the study concludes that, while
bilateral cooperation in enhancing Kenya-India military-diplomatic relations since 1963
has intensified in the recent past, the cooperation has not been efficacious. Thus, despite
the historically strong ties between the two nations, the military relationship has remained
largely skewed toward Western alliances, limiting its impact on addressing military
inequalities. The study also recommends that more resources be dedicated to capacity
building in order to better enhance military capabilities of the two countries. | en_US |
