PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS’ EXAMINATION
APRIL, 2024
PAPER CODE: 106
REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
DATE: THURSDAY 25TH APRIL, 2024
TIME: 2:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M (3 HOURS)
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:
1. This paper consists of two sections, A and B
2. Section A consists of one compulsory question carrying 40 marks.
3. Section B consists of four questions each carrying 20 marks. Answer any
three questions.
4. Answer all the questions in the answer booklet provided.
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SECTION A: COMPULSORY (40 MARKS)
1. Read the case study below and answer the questions that follow:
THE KIKAO TRAGDEY
The importance of water resources cannot be overstated. Water resources are necessary for
life, industry, energy, agricultural as well as aquatic life that provides sources of protein and
livelihood for riparian communities. Most of the arable land is also situated around river
basins and as such food security is directly linked to securing water resources. Water
resources have been affected by rapid development, infrastructure projects and growing
industries which discharge waste water into water bodies leading to pollution.
River Kitu is a trans-boundary water resource that flows across Mapa and Kasa, two
countries sharing a border. The river is a source of livelihood to communities living along it
in the two countries. In Kikao, a division in Kasa, the river flows indiscriminately across
villages. Residents in Kikao are both pastoralists and agriculturists. The residents therefore
heavily depend on ecosystem services and are vulnerable to changes in water and
ecosystems.
The construction of Pere dam in Mapa Republic for generation of hydroelectric power has
not impressed Kasa. In particular residents of Kikao attribute a lot of their social and
environmental problems to Pere dam. It is alleged that Mapa diverts water into Pere
reservoirs during the dry seasons thus impacting on the water flow downstream to Kasa.
Recently, heavy rains due to the Elnino phenomenon coupled with massive environmental
degradation caused Pere dam to burst its banks killing over 20 people in Kikao. There was
massive destruction across Kikao where hundreds of thousands cubic feet of muddy water
covering the farms, destroying crops and killing animals was witnessed. The floods also
submerged roads, homes and other infrastructure. Many residents are now seeking refuge in
schools thus disrupting the education calendar.
People in Kikao are agitated by the explanation from Mapa that the occurrence was a natural
tragedy which would have been less severe were it not for illegal felling of trees and
agricultural activities along the river in Kikao. To the people in Kikao, the tragedy is a result
of poor management of water reservoirs in Mapa. The International Committee of the Red
Cross has joined other international humanitarian organizations to assist the residents in
Kikao. During the welcome address as the Assistant County Commissioner in Kikao, you
sought to explain the magnitude of the crisis. Further, Kasa has constituted a committee to
look into the modalities of referring the Kasa- Mapa conflict to a regional body.
Mira, the regional body where Mapa and Kasa are members is concerned about the
simmering conflict between the two. Kasa has appealed to Mira to compel Mapa to
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compensate residents for the losses in Kikao. Kasa has also demanded that Mapa abandon the
dam as it poses a risk to her citizens. Mira has initiated a mechanism to resolve the conflict.
However, Mira has declined to compel Mapa to compensate Kasa for the losses. This has
angered Kasa who has withdrawn from the peace talks initiated by Mira.
Meanwhile, the residents of Kikao have crossed over to a border town where Pere dam is
constructed vandalizing all the offices and attacking the officers manning the dam. This has
heightened the conflict. Mira has appealed to the international community to help resolve the
conflict.
Required:
a) As the Assistant County Commissioner of Kikao Division, describe five activities that the
International Committee of the Red Cross would undertake to mitigate the situation.
(10 Marks)
b) Explain five ways in which the floods are likely to adversely affect food security in
Kikao Division. (10 Marks)
c) As the Assistant County Commissioner of Kikao Division, highlight five benefits that
would accrue to Kasa by referring the Kasa-Mapa conflict to Mira. (10 Marks)
d) Kasa is committed to sustainable management of the environment and shared natural
resources. As the Assistant County Commissioner of Kikao Division, suggest five
activities you would undertake towards achievement of this objective. (10 Marks)
SECTION B: ANSWER ANY THREE QUESTIONS (60 MARKS)
2. a) As an Assistant Secretary deployed in the State Department for Foreign Affairs, you have
been requested to sensitize newly appointed diplomatic staff on the qualities of a diplomat in
negotiating with a receiving State. Describe five such qualities. (10 Marks)
b) As an Assistant Secretary deployed in the State Department for African Affairs, you have
been requested to prepare a report to justify the use of media in promotion of the aspirations
of the East Africa Community integration. Highlight five justifications you would include in
the report. (10 Marks)
3. a) You have been invited by the International Rescue Committee to sensitize a meeting of
stakeholders in your area of jurisdiction on ways of preventing gender based violence.
Explain to them five strategies of preventing gender based violence. (10 Marks)
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b) You have been requested by your supervisor to prepare a key note address on benefits of
cultural diplomacy for an upcoming conference. Highlight five benefits you would include in
the speech. (10 Marks)
4. a) As an Assistant Secretary deployed in the State Department for Foreign Affairs, you have
been invited to an international conference whose theme is “Life in Foreign Service”.
Explain to the delegates five emergency services that a diplomat in a war torn host country
should provide to the nationals. (10 Marks)
b) The United Nations Security Council recognizes the role of the youth in peace and
security. However, residents in your area of jurisdiction have resisted your attempts to
involve the youth in peace and security matters. Explain five possible reasons for this
resistance. (10 Marks)
5. a) As an Assistant County Commissioner deployed in a division hosting refugees, you have
witnessed many cases of conflicts between the refugees and the host community. Explain
five possible causes of these conflicts. (10 Marks)
b) As an Assistant Secretary deployed in the State Department for Foreign Affairs, your
supervisor has requested you to prepare keynotes for an upcoming conference on the role of
African Union Peace and Security Council in promotion of peace in the continent. Highlight
five roles you would include in the notes. (10 Marks)
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