The Impact of Al-Shabab terrorist attacks in Kenya

Abstract

As the world becomes more technologically advanced, terrorism has risen as a major setback to the advancement of the human race. Kenya, specifically, has been hard hit by terrorist attacks during the past twenty years or so. In 1998, Kenya experienced its first major terrorist hit when the US Embassy was bombed, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries. The next significant attack took place in 2013 at the Westgate Mall where hundreds were likewise killed. The most recent attack occurred this year in Garissa County where over 100 people lost their lives in a University. The Al-Shabaab terrorist organisation are largely thought to be behind these last two attacks and were thus the main focal point of this discussion. This research sought to uncover the answers to the following questions: Who are the members of the Al-Shabaab and their financiers? Why are they attacking Kenya and her citizenry? How can the activities of terrorist groups such as the Al Shabaab be curtailed? The most central research question was, however, what is the impact of terrorist acts by the Al Shabaab on Kenya?