Underlying Causes of Political Violence that Affects Tourism Security in Mombasa and Nairobi Counties, Kenya 1992-2024: Exploring Relationships and Consequences.

Abstract

Political violence poses a significant threat to tourism development and security, particularly in tourism-dependent economies such as Kenya, where the sector plays a critical role in economic growth and inter-sectoral linkages such as Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Transport, among others. In politically unstable environments, especially urban tourism hubs, insecurity undermines destination image, investor confidence, and the overall resilience of the tourism industry. Therefore, the study examined political violence and tourism security in Mombasa and Nairobi City counties, Kenya, 1992-2024. The second objective of the study was to identify the underlying causes of political violence that affect tourism security in Mombasa and Nairobi City Counties, Kenya. The study used the theory of the Triangle of Violence and Media Dependency Theory. A retrospective longitudinal survey design was used to analyze quantitative data on underlying causes of political violence, while a phenomenological design captured qualitative insights on opinions, perceptions, attitudes, and interpretations of causes of political violence and tourism security. The target population for the study was employees from tourism stakeholders who were responsible for tourism security. Therefore, the target population was divided into study population strata, such as employees from the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, Hotels and tour managers, local and international tourists, security personnel, such as tourist police unit officers, and private security officers. A sample of 385 respondents was drawn using stratified and purposive sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires, focus group discussions, interviews, and secondary documents such as OB, online databases, among others. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Findings revealed that Political motives, economic inequality, and corruption were identified as key causes of political violence in Mombasa and Nairobi City counties, Kenya. To reduce the causes of political violence, the study recommends strengthening political stability, reducing corruption, unemployment, and inequality, and enhancing tourism crime research tools. These recommendations guide the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife and the Ministry of Interior and the coordination of the national government, and other tourism stakeholders in promoting sustainable tourism development through enhancing tourism security.