FACTORS AFFECTING LOGISTIC SUPPORT IN MILITARY OPERATIONS: CASE OF THE KENYA DEFENCE FORCES
Otieno Godfred Ohndyl - Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Noor Isamil Shale (Ph.D.) - Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
ABSTRACT
The study sought to examine the factors that affect logistic support to military forces: Destination (areas of operation), Distance (lines of communication), Demand (magnitude of requirements) and Duration (deployment period) and their impact on Operation Linda Nchi (OLN). The study adopted descriptive research methodology. The target population was 1200 soldiers comprising the Battalion that was deployed for the operation. The study used stratified random sapling technique and the Krejicie and Morgan table to draw sample size of 291 respondents. The instruments used were structured questionnaires, selected interviews and observations. The collected data was classified, coded, tabulated, and presented in graphs, frequency distributions, percentages and pie charts for analysis and interpretation. The data was processed using Statistical Process for Social Science (SPSS verse 20). The study found out that to a greater extent all the parameters influences logistic support to military operations, that is, Language, climate, infrastructure and attitudes of the local population. From the results, Duration as a component of Logistic Support contributes most to the Logistic Support, which had the greatest t value of 4.504, while Distance contributed the least with t value of .748. The study revealed that buffer stocks are very critical for unforeseen eventualities, size of the force significantly influence volume of materiel support, the intensity of operation drives the level of materiel requirements, environment, weather & distance directly impact on demand levels . The study concludes that Destination, Distance, Demand, and Duration significantly affect Logistics Support. The study recommends that KDF should invest in superior logistic assets (strategic air lift, long hauliers, warehouses in NEP), predeployment training in logistic and superior technology for intelligence gathering and the Government of Kenya should invest in major infrastructures of roads, airfields and sea ports in the general area and around North Eeastern Province (NEP). The study also recommends further research on factors affecting logistics to other security agencies and to the commercial sector.
