Exploitation of Kenya’s Public Institutions of Higher Learning by Terrorists: A Case of Three Public Universities

Terrorism has grown despite efforts from National Leaders around the world. One thing that has propelled this growth is the sophisticated way in which they are able to plan and execute their attack. The main reason behind this growth and sophistication is the recruitment of terrorists with technical stills. This thesis sought to examine the exploitation of Kenya's Public Institutions of Higher Learning by terrorists: A case of three public Universities. The study targeted Public Institution of higher learning with technical based courses in Kenya namely University of Nairobi (UON), Technical University of Kenya (TUK), and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). It was carried out between September 2019 and March 2020. The objectives of the study were: To find out why terrorists target the university students in their terror activities. And to examine the relevance of evolution of tenor tactics to incorporate modem technical dills into their activities. The research was a qualitative research with an exploratory research design. The target population was 1,920 students undertaking technical courses in the three higher learning institutions. Using a sample size of 10% from the population under study in each institution, the study used a sample size of 191 respondents. Primary data was collected using an open ended and a closed ended questionnaire while secondary data was collected from journals. Books and previous researches. Validity and reliability of the data collection was determined. The researcher used SPSS version 23 to analyze data and presented the data in tables and pie charts for interpretation. The study considered confidentiality of data and consent of respondents under ethical considerations. The findings indicated that terrorists targeted technical skilled students due to their skills and thus used money to lure them to join their organizations. The results also showed that all the technical skills gained by the students in the higher learning institutions were relevant in the modern world and to the terrorists such as explosive expertise in making bombs and explosives. The study recommended that the higher learning institutions need to offer entrepreneurial trainings to students so as to help them come up with businesses to have a source of income in absence of employment. In conclusion, the study was able to identify some of the reasons why terrorists target the university students in their terror activities. It also identified that all technical courses or units were important in supporting terror activities. The suitability of the technical skills the students had made the students a target to be recruited by the terrorist. The study was able to meet its objectives and answer the research questions.