The rise of a mediated state in northern Kenya: the Wajir story and its implications for state-building

Authors

  • Ken Menkhaus

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21825/af.v21i2.17754

Abstract

In an anarchic corner of northern Kenya in the mid-199os, a collection oflocal non-state actors led by a women's market group created an umbrella movement that came to establish an impressive level of peace and security across an entire region. The Kenyan government forged a formal relationship with this group in Wajir, essentially sub-contracting out important functions oflocal government to local civic leaders, and using its partnership with the Wajir group as a template for similar state-sanctioned governance arrangements in other troubled border areas of the country. The Wajir story is examined in this article as an example of a "mediated state" approach to rebuilding rule oflaw through non-state actors in a conflict and post-conflict setting. Key words: mediated-state, state-building, civil society, peace-building,failed state, northern Kenya

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Published

2008-11-05

How to Cite

Menkhaus, K. (2008). The rise of a mediated state in northern Kenya: the Wajir story and its implications for state-building. frika ocus, 21(2). https://doi.org/10.21825/af.v21i2.17754

Issue

Section

Articles