Security and stability: the Netherlands and Kenya
The Netherlands is your partner in promoting peace and stability.
Long-term cooperation
Lasting peace requires long-term cooperation with local and regional partners, so that we can respond when trouble spots emerge and prevent new conflicts from arising.
UN missions
The Netherlands participates in United Nations (UN) missions to help promote peace and protect civilians. Since 1947 more than 125,000 Dutch troops have taken part in over 60 UN peace missions.
The Netherlands also supports reconstruction efforts in countries affected by war.
UN Security Council seat
In 2017 and 2018 the Netherlands and Italy will share a seat on the United Nations Security Council.
During their membership the Netherlands and Italy will focus their efforts on:
- conflict prevention
- peacekeeping
- the protection of civilians during conflicts
- the rule of law
- the effects of climate change on peace and security.
Security and stability: the Netherlands and your country or region
Although Kenya is generally regarded as a relatively stable and peaceful country in the region, ethnic-based political conflicts which largely follow the electoral cycle, conflicts over natural resources including extractives in arid and semi-arid lands, as well as threats of violent extremism is of a growing concern in Kenya.
Around elections, certain conflict scenarios with regard to politically and ethnicized rivalry for state power and control at national and county levels might occur. Because of devolution, also localized confrontations between different ethnic communities over access to water and grazing pastures might lead to hostilities between neighbours. Recent oil found in the Northern regions add new dimensions to existing tension between communities, and with state security apparatus.
Somalia’s Al Shabaab (AS) has been responsible for terrorist attacks in Kenya in the past and might intent to carry out further attacks in the region, possibly including targeting Western interest. These threats are further exacerbated by the growing challenge of home-grown radicalisation, based on a variety of drivers of conflict, frustration and ideology, especially in the coastal counties.