Proliferation of Drone Technology and Its Implications on National Security Management in Kenya

Abstract

The development of drone technology, typically used in national security management, is both a challenge and an opportunity for Kenya. This study examines this intersection and the dynamic relationship between drone technology, legal framework and local security infrastructure through the lens of systems theory. A pragmatic paradigm was used in the research, and it involved the use of a convergent parallel design. Key informant interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data from 155 respondents and conduct data analysis with the help of descriptive statistics and content analysis. Discussing the availability of drones, 58.3% of the answers indicated that drones were available in the market to serve diverse purposes, be it civilian or in connection with security. Research data revealed lapses in the enforcement of the rules as the drones were being used to conduct surveillance and drug delivery. Furthermore, 96.8% of the respondents said that government security organizations employed drones in their operations, underlining the dual nature of this technology. Given the dual-use nature of drone technology, this paper calls for the need to develop an all-inclusive national drone policy for Kenya to guide the acquisition and utilization of drones. It also calls for the need for better coordination among the stakeholders and capacity building in the security agencies to better control the use of technology, especially by the public, to contribute to the improvement of national security. The results highlight the importance of adaptive governance for responding to the changing problems that technology presents to national security.