Strategies Taken by the Government of Kenya to Ensure Better Community Policing in Lurambi Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Increased cases of insecurity and crime are the major challenges affecting many societies globally. Kenya is not an exception thus community policing was adopted to enhance security and safety, reduce crime, fear and improve social order in the neighborhoods through engagement of the community members and police. However, crime rate in some counties still remains high. For instance, a recent report by National Crime Statistics ranked Kakamega County fourth among Kenya's most crime-prone counties in 2019. The report indicated that most crimes in Kakamega have occurred in Lurambi Sub-County. Consequently, this study sought to identify the strategies taken by the government to ensure better community policing in Lurambi Sub - County. Broken windows Theory and Systems Theory guided the study. The study employed a descriptive research design, and adopted stratified sampling technique and purposive sampling techniques to obtain sample units. The target population of the study was 1182 being community members, Nyumba Kumi leaders, police officers and National Government Administration Officers. A sample of 284 community members was used during data collection while 21 Nyumba kumi leaders, 19 police officers and 5 National Government Administration Officers were also sampled to take part in the study. A questionnaire was used to collect data from community members, interview schedule was used to collect data from police officers and National Government Administration Officers while a Focus Group Discussion Guide was used to collect data from Nyumba Kumi leaders. The quantitative data was processed and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29.0 for windows while the collected qualitative data was analyzed thematically in line with the study objectives. Results were presented using tables and figures. The study findings revealed that law enforcement officers underwent any training to acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for the development of community policing and crime reduction. 36.6% responded that police officers had undergone through the community policing training programme. 63.4% however, did not undergo any training.  Further still, research findings revealed that significant majority (92.0%) of the respondents were of the opinion that enough awareness has been created about community policing by the government. In light of the findings made, the study concluded that the Police-Community partnership method has a significant and positive effect on the crime reduction hence recommended coordination of the developed national crime reduction strategy in Lurambi Sub-County, Kenya.

Keywords: Strategies, Community Policing

DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/13-5-02

Publication date:July 31^st 2023