Community Policing Initiatives and Its Effect on Security in Mathare Constituency, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Nairobi County, Kenya recorded the highest number of criminal cases reported to police in 2019. Though community policing has been credited with significant reduction in insecurity in various jurisdictions, the evidence in Nairobi County points to the contrary. This study seeks to investigate the operationalization of community policing and its effect on security in Nairobi County so as to inform reforms and effective interventions. The general objective of the study was to determine the effect of community policing initiatives on security in Nairobi County, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to determine the extent to which community consultation, community engagement, community inclusion in problem solving and administrative police decentralization influences security in Nairobi County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the extent to which community consultation influences security in Nairobi County, Kenya, establish the effect of community engagement on security in Nairobi County, Kenya, examine the influence of community inclusion in problem solving on security in Nairobi County, Kenya, and assess the effect of administrative police decentralization on security in Nairobi County, Kenya. Descriptive research design was used in this study. The population for this research was all 419 police officers in Mathare Constituency, Nairobi County, Kenya. The sampling frame for this research was a list of all police officers in Mathare Constituency which was sourced from Kenya Police Service. Stratified sampling was used in the research to choose a sample that was representative of the population. The sample size was 205 police officers which was allocated proportionally to the population and a response rate of 62.4% was realized. The sample from each stratum was chosen at random using random numbers and a list of police officers supplied by the Kenya Police Service. The research relied on primary data. To gather primary data, a questionnaire was utilized. A pilot test was conducted to assess the questionnaire's validity and reliability. In the pilot test, 20 respondents from Starehe Constituency in Nairobi were utilized. The researcher instructed prospective respondents on how to answer to the questionnaire before administering it to them, and a date for collection was arranged. The questionnaire data was put into the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 24 for analysis. In data analysis, several methods were used. Descriptive analysis was utilized where statistics such as frequencies, means, percentages, and standard deviations were generated. Multiple regression analysis was also used to assist in answering the research questions. The findings of the study indicated that community consultation significantly and positively influences security in Nairobi County, Kenya. The findings also indicated that community engagement significantly and positively influences security in Nairobi County, Kenya. Further findings of the study indicated that administrative police decentralization significantly and positively influences security in Nairobi County, Kenya. However, the study results showed that community involvement in problem solving has no significant influence on security in Nairobi County, Kenya. Based on the findings and conclusions of the study, the following recommendations are made. First, the Kenya Police Service should improve on trust between the police and the community to enable the community to feel free to share information with the police. Secondly, the study recommends reformation of the police service to make it more community friendly to enable increased community engagement. Besides, the police service should design and execute strategies aimed at enhancing their relationships with the community. Further, the study recommends to the community members to avail themselves during meetings arranged by the security agents and at the same time, the police should create awareness and provide the community with tips on how to enhance security. Lastly, police in patrols should be reoriented and trained effectively to facilitate information sharing and communication between the public and police.