Aim and Scope

Aim 

The National Security: Journal of the National Defence University–Kenya aims to advance scholarly inquiry, policy engagement, and strategic thinking on the evolving concept of national security within Kenya, the East African region, and globally. The journal provides an authoritative platform for interdisciplinary research, critical analysis, and informed debate on the challenges and opportunities shaping security in the 21st century. It seeks to bridge academic, professional, and policy communities by promoting original contributions that inform national resilience, strategic foresight, and transformative leadership in the defence and security sectors.

Scope 


In keeping with its interdisciplinary mandate, the journal covers a wide spectrum of fields. Contributions are encouraged from defence and strategic studies, peace and conflict studies, governance and security policy, development and human (societal) security, international relations and diplomacy, cybersecurity and emerging technology, and related social sciences (e.g., sociology, anthropology, gender studies).

Recent issues illustrate this breadth: for example, topics have ranged from military strategy and crisis management to human security in urban and rural contexts, from cyber and information warfare to maritime and resource security, and from local conflict resolution to international peacekeeping and diplomatic strategy.

A representative list of thematic areas includes:

  • Strategic and Defence Studies: National defence policy, military leadership and force organization, homeland security.
  • Peace and Conflict Resolution: Mediation, peacebuilding, UN and regional peacekeeping, and multi-agency conflict management.
  • Governance and Policy: Security sector reform, intelligence coordination, public policy for safety and resilience, and counter-terrorism strategies.
  • Human and Economic Security: Food and health security, development in conflict zones, and gender and social dimensions of security.
  • Technology and Security: Cybersecurity, intelligence and data analytics, drone and surveillance technologies, and emerging threats.
  • Diplomacy and International Affairs: Transnational security cooperation, diplomatic initiatives, Africa–Global partnerships.