Mpeketoni Residents’ Perception of Terror Attacks on Socio- Economic Activities And Governmnent Response to Security Improvement in Lamu County, Kenya

Abstract

This study assessed Mpeketoni Residents’ Perception of terror attacks on socio-economic activities in Lamu County, Kenya. It was motivated by the reported state of insecurity state in the country. The concern was particularly within Mpeketoni region as a result of Al-Shabaab militia insurgency among the communities along the coastal region in Kenya. This study was guided by the following specific objectives; to assess the Mpeketoni residents’ social perception of terror attacks on socio-economic activities and government response to security improvement, to establish the Mpeketoni residents’ economic perception of terror attacks on socio-economic activities and government response to security improvement and to analyze the Mpeketoni residents’ security perception of terror attacks on socio- economic activities and government response to security improvement in Lamu County, Kenya. This study was informed by Social control and deterrent Theory. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. A target population of 200 respondents consisting of the terror victims, village elders, youths and women was used. Sample size of this study was 120 respondents using Yamane’s formula on sample size. Terror victims and village elders were sampled using snowball sampling, while the key informants were purposively sampled. Primary data was collected using interview schedules and questionnaires were sent to key informants. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic method; while quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive frequencies with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The study result in terms of social perception, 64% of the respondents stated that they had reduced visiting to social places such as pubs, shopping malls, restaurants and others said their neighbours had relocated to other areas regions in Lamu County where they consider safer for their family. In terms of attendance of religious services, immediately after terror the respondent stated that they reduced attending church/mosque services. However, after a few months the faithful picked up and services resumed. The study result in terms of economy, 93% of the respondents reported that there was a reduction in investment opportunities, entrepreneurs activities as many traders closed shop and some relocated to other areas, employment levels declined particularly employment of casual labourers who opted to move to Lamu town and others Mombasa, the cost of living rose due to an increase in the price of basic commodities. On security perception business people were forced to boost security procedures to protect their property and customers. In conclusion, this study established that terror attacks had great socio- economic impact on the welfare of the residents of Mpeketoni region since the attacks derailed key communal projects. This study recommends that the Kenyan government should amicably strategize counter-terror measures such as; empowering intelligence collection techniques, investing in intelligence led policing, targeting recruiters and designing anti-terrorism systems within the County in order to protect its assets and citizens.