INFLUENCE OF BORDER CONTROL MEASURES ON COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGIES IN SELECTED AIRPORTS IN KENYA
Abstract
Purpose of the study: The study assessed the effect of border control measures on counter-terrorism strategies at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Moi International Airport and Wilson Airport in Kenya.
Short introduction of problem statement: Although Kenya has introduced biometric identification, surveillance technologies, checkpoint controls, and multi-agency security arrangements, persistent weaknesses in intelligence sharing, resource capacity, and coordination across entry points continue to expose the aviation sector to terrorist infiltration risks. The limited objective-specific evidence on the effectiveness of these measures within airport operations created the need for empirical assessment.
Method/methodology: The study adopted a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. The target population comprised 1,785 personnel from immigration, aviation security, and counter-terrorism agencies, from whom 327 respondents were selected through stratified random sampling, while senior officials were purposively selected for interviews. The quantitative analysis for this objective used 160 cases, and qualitative evidence was obtained from ten senior officials. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and an interview guide, analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, regression and thematic analysis.
Results of the study: Border control measures recorded a high overall perception score, with item means ranging from 3.95 to 4.41. Respondents particularly affirmed security checkpoint protocols, personnel training, biometric identification, and integration of security agencies. Border control measures had a strong positive correlation with counter-terrorism strategies (r = .780, p < .001) and explained 60.9% of the variance in the bivariate model, F (1, 158) = 245.586, p < .001. When the other immigration policy dimensions were controlled, border control measures remained the strongest predictor (B = .443, β = .407, t = 6.94, p < .001). Interviews confirmed that technology improved threat detection but also identified delayed intelligence sharing, porous borders, and resource constraints as continuing challenges.
Conclusion: Effective border control measures substantially strengthen threat identification, unauthorized entry prevention, and coordinated aviation security responses.
Recommendations: The Government of Kenya should prioritize integrated border management, real-time intelligence exchange, continuous personnel training, and sustained investment in biometric and surveillance infrastructure across all entry points.
Keywords: border control measures, counter-terrorism strategies, aviation security, biometric identification, intelligence sharing, Kenya
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