Browsing by Author "School of International Relations & Diplomacy"
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Item BASIC FRENCH(Riara University, 2026-04-13) School of International Relations & DiplomacyItem BASIC GERMAN(Riara University, 2025-08) School of International Relations & DiplomacyItem BASIC GERMAN(Riara University, 2026-04) School of International Relations & DiplomacyItem BASIC GERMAN(Riara University, 2025-04) School of International Relations & DiplomacyItem Efficacy of Digital Diplomacy in Advancing the Economic and Cultural Pillars of Kenya’s Foreign Policy(Riara University, 2026-05-15) School of International Relations & DiplomacyGlobally, digital diplomacy has increasingly emerged as a critical instrument through which states pursue strategic, political, economic, and cultural objectives within the contemporary international system. Although the practice of digital diplomacy has existed for decades, the rapid advancement of information and communication technologies in the 21st Century has significantly transformed diplomatic engagement, attracting growing scholarly and policy attention. Among the state actors actively embracing this transformation is the Republic of Kenya, which since 2014 has made substantial investments in digital diplomatic tools, platforms, and communication strategies aimed at advancing its foreign policy objectives and enhancing its global diplomatic presence. Despite the growing body of literature on digital diplomacy, much of the existing scholarship remains largely generic and insufficiently contextualized within Kenya’s Foreign Policy environment. It is against this backdrop that this study sought to interrogate the efficacy of digital diplomacy in advancing the economic and cultural pillars of Kenya’s Foreign Policy. The specific objectives of the study were to: examine the efficacy of digital technologies: assess the efficacy of digital platforms; evaluate the influence of social media platforms; and to investigate the efficacy of digital communication, in advancing the economic and cultural pillars of Kenya’s Foreign Policy. The study was anchored on Neorealism and Soft Power theories. The study adopted a mixed research approach, incorporating both the qualitative and quantitative aspects. The population for the study was the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs fraternity. Primary data was collected through 17 in-depth interviews with purposely selected, pro-rated and sampled informants across the 14 directorates of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs as well as experts and scholars in international relations, to enrich the currency of the study and an analysis of specific digital diplomatic initiatives. The source of secondary data for this study was government speeches and reports, and other academic papers that refer to digital diplomacy. Data analysis was done in frequencies and themes and patterns for qualitative data drawn from respondent interviews. The study findings showed that while more than 50% mentioned training was inadequate, 70% and 65% respectively mentioned increased efficacy and stronger cybersecurity measures. Ther was a wide adoption of digital platforms (portals with 77%, global visibility with 76%, and virtual summits with 36%). The study also found social media as an appropriate tool with 94%, 83% and 88% respectively acknowledging it use in foreign policy, greater transparency, and use in crisis communication. A minority, 30%, mentioned the presence of social media SOPs. The third component, digital communication tools, was found to be effective with endorsement of real time messaging and improved translation at 95% and 70% support respectively. The challenges identified by the study and opportunity for recommendation include more training, capacity building, institutional support and coordination, and standardised protocols and operational frameworks.Item GLE 001: Basic Introduction to English(Riara University, 2025-04) School of International Relations & DiplomacyItem INTERMEDIATE GERMAN(Riara University, 2025-04) School of International Relations & DiplomacyItem INTERMEDIATE GERMAN(Riara University, 2026-04-17) School of International Relations & DiplomacyItem LAPSSET Infrastructural Initiative and Economic Security Stabilization in the Horn of Africa Region [Master’s thesis, Riara University].(Riara University, 2026-05-06) School of International Relations & DiplomacyLocated in the Horn of Africa (HoA), the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) infrastructural initiative was conceived in 1975 as a strategic resource for spurring economic growth and stabilization of a region historically riddled by both ecological fragility and ideological conflict. However, for several decades the initiative remained lull, until 2012, when it was revamped with the mandate of: decongesting the port of Mombasa and the Northern Transport Corridor in Kenya; and spurring regional integration between Kenya, South Sudan and Ethiopia, through infrastructure development and trade. Despite its strategic importance, the initiative has encountered persistent obstacles, including; inadequate institutional coordination, limited regional inclusivity, and uneven implementation across participating states. From the lenses of regionalism, the LAPSSET infrastructural initiative was conceptualized as a narrow plan, aimed at integrating only the tripartite states of Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan, as opposed to a multifaceted approach for integrating the greater Horn of Africa - a geostrategic region plagued with infrastructure deficits, violent conflicts, humanitarian crises, economic shocks and instabilities. This study, therefore, investigated the effect of the LAPSSET infrastructural initiative on economic security stabilization in the Horn of Africa region. The general objective was to investigate the effect of LAPSSET infrastructural initiative on economic security stabilization in the Horn of Africa region. Specifically, the study sought: (i) to evaluate the effect of the conceptual design of the LAPSSET infrastructural initiative on economic security stabilization in the Horn of Africa region; (ii) to examine the effect of the economic security imperatives of the LAPSSET infrastructural initiative on economic security stabilization in the Horn of Africa region; and (iii) to assess the effect of the regional coordination mechanism of the LAPSSET infrastructural initiative on economic security stabilization in the Horn of Africa region. The study was anchored on the theories of regionalism and complex interdependence. A descriptive research design was adopted. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using the semi-structured questionnaire, which was administered to 15 LAPSSET stakeholder institutions in Kenya. Qualitative data was targeted from selected border community representatives in Moyale and Lodwar sub-counties, as well as from key informants from the Ethiopian and South Sudan Embassies in Kenya, using moderated focus group discussions and open-ended key informants interview schedules, respectively. Additional key informants were also targeted through the LAPSSET cooperating facility in Kenya. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with multiple regression analysis used to determine relationships among variables. The findings revealed that all three components significantly influence economic security stabilization. The regional coordination mechanism had the strongest positive effect (B = 0.476, p < 0.001), followed by conceptual design (B = 0.412, p < 0.001) and economic security imperatives (B = 0.363, p < 0.001). However, the results also indicated persistent weaknesses in institutional coordination, implementation capacity, and regional policy alignment. This study concluded that, while the LAPSSET has considerable potentials for bolstering economic security stabilization in the Horn of Africa, its effectiveness is constrained by governance and coordination shortcomings. Therefore, refining the conceptual design of the LAPSSET, improving institutional integration, and strengthening of regional coordination frameworks, are critical for maximizing the initiatives stabilizing impact.Item MRIR 911: THEORIES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS(Riara University, 2025-08) School of International Relations & DiplomacyItem MRIR 912: Comparative Foreign Policy(Riara University, 2025-08) School of International Relations & DiplomacyItem MRIR 912: COMPARATIVE FOREIGN POLICY(Riara University, 2025-08) School of International Relations & DiplomacyItem MRIR 913: INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW(Riara University, 2025-08) School of International Relations & DiplomacyItem MRIR 914: RESEARCH THEORIES, DESIGNS AND METHODS(Riara University, 2025-08) School of International Relations & DiplomacyItem MRIR 915: MANAGEMENT OF THE BLUE ECONOMY(Riara University, 2025-08) School of International Relations & DiplomacyItem MRIR 921: CONFLICTOLOGY, MEDIATION, AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION(Riara University, 2025-04-08) School of International Relations & DiplomacyItem MRIR 922: REGIONAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT(Riara University, 2025-04) School of International Relations & DiplomacyItem MRIR 923: Regional Security Studies and Strategies(Riara University, 2025-04) School of International Relations & DiplomacyItem MRIR 924: MARITIME DIPLOMACY(Riara University, 2025-04) School of International Relations & DiplomacyItem MRIR 925: REGIONAL CONFLICT SYSTEMS AND GEOGRAPHY OF CONFLICT(Riara University, 2025-04) School of International Relations & Diplomacy