Abstract:
Terrorism has become an increasing threat to international peace and security with a devastating impact on vulnerable states like Kenya. Since the 9/11 attacks, anti-terrorism has been at the top of the agenda of the international and regional organizations, and the international community has taken further steps to enhance co-operation to prevent and combat terrorism. As a result, a large number of international, regional and national initiatives have been adopted in the last decade against terrorism (Kaponyi (2007). International organizations led by the United Nations (UN) have made considerable efforts in addressing the threats and challenges posed by terrorism among the member states. Accordingly, the UN, regional organizations and individual states have adopted several conventions, resolutions and laws on counterterrorism. For example, the European Union (EU) has attempted to address the threats posed by terrorism in Western Europe and in developing states facing terrorism threats such as Kenya. Even though a number of counterterrorism measures have been put in place at the international, regional and nation state levels, terrorism remains a threat to both peace and security. Viewed from the international conventions and resolutions, there is no concrete definition accepted by states, which gives rise to various approaches in counterterrorism. Thus, the balance between combating terrorism and observation of human rights must be protected under the UN conventions, resolutions and domestic laws. The study therefore analyses the role and implications of EU‟s international counterterrorism approaches in Kenya in the context of international, regional and state level regimes.
