The Impact of Border Management Strategies on the Reduction of Illicit Trade at Kenya’s Busia One Stop Border Post

This study evaluated the impact of border management strategies on illicit trade reduction in Kenya’s one stop border post of Busia. A descriptive research design was used. The target population comprised community members living along the border, law enforcement officers, and relevant government officials such as chiefs and immigration officers, all of whom had valuable information regarding the issue. Purposive sampling was used to select the residents along Kenya-Uganda border and they were 156 in total. Purposive sampling was also used to select law enforcement officers, chiefs, and immigration officials. The questionnaire used was researcher-administered. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from the residents while interview schedule guides were used to obtain information from law enforcement officers, chiefs, and immigration officials. Hypotheses were tested using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient (r) at α =0.05 level of significance. The results obtained from Kenya’s one stop border post of Busia revealed that corruption and weak enforcement mechanisms were the primary factors driving illicit trade along the Kenya-Uganda border. Smuggling routes also played a significant role, facilitating the illegal movement of goods. Additional contributors include cross-border demand, political instability, inadequate infrastructure, and poverty, each exacerbating the problem to varying degrees. Statistical analysis showed the critical role of technological adoption, inter-agency collaboration, and stringent border control measures in mitigating illicit trade. Pearson’s Correlation Coefficients demonstrated strong negative correlations between these variables and illicit trade prevalence, indicating that increased adoption of technology, enhanced inter-agency cooperation, and stricter border inspections significantly reduced illicit trade. Recommendations included implementing robust anti-corruption measures, equipping and training border officials, investing in advanced surveillance technologies, and fostering inter-agency coordination with integrated policies to ensure a comprehensive and unified approach to combating illicit trade.