Implications of Piracy on the Kenya-Somalia Maritime Dispute

Executive Summary

This paper examines the relationship between piracy and the resolution of the Kenya-Somalia maritime dispute. The Kenya-Somalia maritime border currently under dispute at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) remains key to Kenya’s strategic interests. The bone of contention is in the variance of opinion where Somalia argues that Kenya-Somalia border runs based on the equidistance principle while Kenya claims that the border runs parallel to the latitude. Key findings are drawn from expert opinions and comprehensive desktop review of documented sources. Results indicate high likelihood of piracy escalating along the Horn of Africa and East Africa coastline as a result of the maritime dispute and state failure in Somalia. The potential loss of maritime territory to Somalia coupled with Somalia’s inadequate security apparatus will directly impact on Kenya’s national security. The situation is further compounded by other existing transnational organized crimes in the disputed zone. This paper recommends effective occupation of Kenya’s maritime territory as a safeguard from the maritime threats.