Title Community Policing and Crime Prevention in Kirinyaga County - Kenya
Title Community Policing and Crime Prevention in Kirinyaga County - Kenya
Abstract: Community policing was first initiated in London in community policing and management measures to be put in
1829 by Metropolitan Police District. The British parliament place to reduce crime in future. The research is significant to the
hoped to address the soaring crime rate in and around the government of Kenya in crime prevention and management, The
nation’s capital when it was growing. Community policing was study is also important for the other 47 counties of Kenya in
also initiated in South Africa in the early 1990’s. It was aimed at managing crime rhrough cooperation wth members of the
democratizing and legitimizing the police. Later there was a shift public. Finally the study will benefit the county government and
towards improving service delivery and tackling crime issues. people of Kirinyaga County by contributing to their security
The initiative succeeded in building trust between citizens and through community policing and crime prevention. Community
the police. Community policing is a Government funded policing in Kirinyaga County will help to inform the Kenya
initiative built on the premise that everyone should be working to government and other counties on the success of crime
reduce the fear of crime. According to Kenya Police data across prevention efforts and best methods of improving community
all counties in Kenya who have implemented community policing policing.
revealed that there have been a raise in crime levels in Kirinyaga
County while in counties like Nakuru where community policing I. INTRODUCTION
is implemented, the level of crime has fallen. In Kirinyaga
County crime levels have been raising for the last three years
despite presence of community policing practiced as Nyumba
Kumi Initiative hence the choice for research. This research
T he study sought to assess the role of community policing
on crime prevention in Kirinyaga County Kenya. Crime
in Kirinyaga County had become too complex and had
work is focused on the use of community policing as a method for experienced a high level of crime which the regular police
crime reduction in Kirinyaga County of Central Kenya. This crime control methods were not able to manage. This alarmed
research study was guided by the following objectives: to analyze the local authorities and security agents and resulted in the
the effectiveness of joint community-police patrols in prevention adoption of community policing measures as an effort to curb
of crime in Kirinyaga County, to find out the effectiveness of the escalating crime. This study was conducted in response to
youth vigilante groups as a means of crime prevention in the the new measures taken to control crime in Kirinyaga County.
County and to analyze the role played by community courts
Community policing is based on the understanding that people
process to reduce crimes in the county. The researcher employed
descriptive survey research design using both qualitative and in communities know each other well and are able to identify
quantitative approach. A Sample of two hundred community law breakers but chose to remain silent to protect their
members picked from ten wards out of twenty wards of the relatives and friends. Under
County making fifty percent from the county words were
1.1 Background of the Study
sampled, with joint patrol groups, youth vigilante groups,
officers commanding police stations within the county and Community policing, according to the dictionary is a social
administrative officers as the respondents. The respondents were group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality,
selected through cluster and purposive sampling methods share government, and often have a common cultural and
comprising of government security agents. The questionnaires
were distributed to the relevant respondents, filled in, collected
historical heritage. Community is also defined as a social,
and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics and religious, occupational, or other group sharing common
presented in form of tables, charts and graphs. The data was characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself
analyzed using various statistical soft-wares such as Statistical as distinct in some respect from the larger society within
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), and Microsoft Excel. These which it exists.
quantitative data were complimented and triangualed with
qualitative data from focus group discussions and key informant Policing is defined as a course or principle of action adopted
interviews. The findings indicate that joint police-community or proposed by a government, party, business, or
patrols as well as the engagement of vigilante groups and individual….. . A leading policy and practice publication
community courts have contributed to crime prevention in aimed at connecting law enforcement leaders, police
Kirinyaga County. Between the three areas of focus, the court researchers, analysts and policy makers, this peer-reviewed
process was found to less effective. The people of Kirinyaga journal will contain critical analysis and commentary on a
County will benefit from the information resulting on from this wide range of topics including current law enforcement
research. The study may brought out the areas that may need policies, police reform, political and legal developments,
more research, education and attitude change towards
training and education, patrol and investigative operations,
accountability, comparative police practices, and human and In Tanzania, a national wide, grassroots at village level system
civil rights. Therefore, Community Policing is the system of known as `Nyumba Kumi` was adopted. This ensured that the
allocating police officers to particular areas so that they police and Immigration Officers knew precisely who was
become familiar with the local inhabitants. staying in which hotel, who was renting and living in which
house, who owned which property, and who was moving in
Crime is an action or omission that constitutes an offense that
and out of the villages. No aliens were to rent a house in
may be prosecuted by the state and is punishable by law.
Tanzania, stay in a hotel or arrive at a village without the
Prevention is the action of stopping something from
Immigration and police knowing about it in 24 hours. They
happening or arising.
were even supposed to keep records of such people.
"Prevention is the first imperative of justice" (United Nations Community policing has become the new orthodoxy for
document S/2004/616, para. 4). "Crime Prevention comprises police officers; it is the only form of policing available for
strategies and measures that seek to reduce the risk of crimes anyone who seeks to improve police operations, management,
occurring, and their potential harmful effects on individuals or relations with the public.‖ (Eck and Rosenbaum, 1994: 3-
and society, including fear of crime, by intervening to 4). The system was to work by appointing trusted and vetted
influence their multiple causes." people from the smallest village level. Most elders who were
already organized as councils were in charge of monitoring
Community policing is a philosophy that promotes the ten houses, each at a minimum, thus the name Nyumba
organizational strategies which support the systematic use of Kumi. Any stranger especially aliens who arrived at a
partnerships and problem-solving techniques, to proactively
particular house, home, hotel or a guest house, the local
address the immediate conditions that give rise to public
Nyumba Kumi council was to be informed instantly and the
safety issues such as crime, social order and fear of crime.
news was to be passed on to the Immigration Officers.
(Kenneth J. 1999). Community policy is aimed at ensuring
that community members take the forefront in initiating plans, Kenya has adopted the Nyumba Kumi initiative from
programs and policies so as to reduce crime. There have been Tanzania among other strategies used in Community policing
many policies initiated worldwide to curb insecurity. in Kenya like the Youth Vigilante groups, community court
Community policing was first initiated in London by system and joint patrols. This model has been proposed as the
Metropolitan Police District. The British parliament hoped to solution for criminal behavior and terrorism. The initiative
address the soaring crime rate in and around the nation‘s will also encourage Kenyans to interact and share information
capital when it was growing. Citizens were to be familiar about each other. They are also expected to monitor security
with each other and this was to enable them to recognize threats and provide information to the local administration and
suspicious persons or crime activity. The citizens were also security organs. Using measuring levels of neighborhood this
able to communicate with the police in case of any incident. will ensure safety and public satisfaction. Although police are
This greatly helped to deter criminals from committing crimes still responsible for vigorous and impartial enforcement of law
in the immediate vicinity. and life threatening emergencies, community policing is a
joint police and society wide focus. Realizing that police
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, America community policing alone cannot solve the problems of crime we have gone a long
developed along lines almost similar to those of London way towards achieving these goals.‖(Rhonda J.2000)
police. Most U.S.A cities had already established a police
department where they adopted paramilitary structures. In Kirinyaga County, the most common crimes according to
Officers used to wear distinctive blue uniforms and patrolled the Kenya Police records (Kenya Police Report 2012 to 2014)
the assigned beats. However, unlike in London, the officers are robberies with violence, shop lifting and rape. The police
carried guns and were under command of politically data indicates that there are at least three robberies per day,
appointed local captains. (Jerome H. 1976) Community two shop lifting and one rape per day. Consequently,
policing was also initiated in South Africa in the early 1990‘s. Kirinyaga was rated second worst crime prone counties in
It was aimed at democratizing and legitimizing the police. Kenya. It is this high rate of crime that necessitated the need
Later there was a shift towards improving service delivery and to carry out research in Kirinyaga County. These crimes are
tackling crime issues. The initiative succeeded in building likely to be committed by people leaving within the county
trust between citizens and the police. The police shall be and therefore involving the community that could probably
guided by the belief that they are accountable to society in help prevent the crimes. This study on community policing
rendering their policing services and shall therefore conduct and its effects in crime prevention brought out the strengths
themselves so as to secure and retain the respect and approval and weaknesses that require attention and action by the
of the public. Through such accountability and friendly, Kirinyaga County government and the national government..
effective and prompt service, the police shall endeavor to
obtain the operation of the public whose partnership in the
task of crime control and prevention is essential‖. (Peace
Accord of South Africa 1999).
Although the delivery of police services is organized by spoken to neighborhood groups, participated in business and
geographic area, a community may encompass widely diverse civic events, worked with social agencies, and taken part in
cultures, values, and concerns, particularly in urban settings. educational and recreational programs for school children.
A community consists of more than just the local government Special units have provided a variety of crisis intervention
and the neighborhood residents. Churches, schools, hospitals, services. So how then do the cooperative efforts of
social groups, private and public agencies, and those who community policing differ from the actions that have taken
work in the area are also vital members of the community. In place previously? The fundamental distinction is that, in
addition, those who visit for cultural or recreational purposes community policing, the police become an integral part of the
or provide services to the area are also concerned with the community culture, and the community assists in defining
safety and security of the neighborhood. Including these future priorities and in allocating resources. The difference is
―communities of interest‖ in efforts to address problems of substantial and encompasses basic goals and commitments.
crime and disorder can expand the resource base of the
Community partnership means adopting a policing
community.
perspective that exceeds the standard law enforcement
Concerns and priorities will vary within and among these emphasis. This broadened outlook recognizes the value of
communities of interest. Some communities of interest are activities that contribute to the orderliness and well-being of a
long-lasting and were formed around racial, ethnic, neighborhood. These activities could include: helping accident
occupational lines, or a common history, church, or school. or crime victims, providing emergency medical services,
Others form and reform as new problems is identified and helping resolve domestic and neighborhood conflicts (e.g.,
addressed. Interest groups within communities can be in family violence, landlord-tenant disputes, or racial
opposition to one another—sometimes in violent opposition. harassment), working with residents and local businesses to
Intercommunity disputes have been common in large urban improve neighborhood conditions, controlling automobile and
centers, especially in times of changing demographics and pedestrian traffic, providing emergency social services and
population migrations. referrals to those at risk (e.g., adolescent runaways, the
homeless, the intoxicated, and the mentally ill), protecting the
These multiple and sometimes conflicting interests require
exercise of constitutional rights (e.g., guaranteeing a person‘s
patrol officers to function not only as preservers of law and
right to speak, protecting lawful assemblies from disruption),
order, but also as skillful mediators. Demands on police from
and providing a model of citizenship (helpfulness, respect for
one community of interest can sometimes clash with the rights
others, honesty, and fairness).
of another community of interest. For example, a community
group may oppose certain police tactics used to crack down These services help develop trust between the police and the
on gang activity, which the group believes may result in community. This trust will enable the police to gain greater
discriminatory arrest practices. The police must not only access to valuable information from the community that could
protect the rights of the protesting group, but must also work lead to the solution and prevention of crimes, will engender
with all of the community members involved to find a way to support for needed crime-control measures, and will provide
preserve neighborhood peace. For this process to be effective, an opportunity for officers to establish a working relationship
community members must communicate their views and with the com- munity. The entire police organization must be
suggestions and back up the negotiating efforts of the police. involved in enlisting the cooperation of community members
In this way, the entire community participates in the in promoting safety and security.
mediation process and helps preserve order. The police must
According to Moore (et al. 1988), the effective mobilization
encourage a spirit of cooperation that balances the collective
of community support requires different approaches in
interests of all citizens with the personal rights of individuals.
different communities. Establishing trust and obtaining
The conflicts within communities are as important as the cooperation are often easier in middle-class and affluent
commonalities. Police must recognize the existence of both to communities than in poorer communities, where mistrust of
build the cooperative bonds needed to maintain order, provide police may have a long history. Building bonds in some
a sense of security, and control crime. Police must build neighborhoods may involve supporting basic social
lasting relationships that encompass all elements of the institutions (e.g., families, churches, schools) that have been
community and center around the fundamental issues of weakened by pervasive crime or disorder. The creation of
public safety and quality of life. The key to managing this viable communities is necessary if lasting alliances that
difficult task is trust. nurture cooperative efforts are to be sustained. Under
community policing, the police become both catalysts and
Establishing and maintaining mutual trust is the central goal
facilitators in the development of these communities.
of the first core component of community policing—
community partnership. Police recognize the need for 2.1.3 The Need for Community Policing
cooperation with the community. In the fight against serious
Community policing is the most popular and the most
crime, police have encouraged community members to come
demanded policing method among law enforcement
forth with relevant information. In addition, police have
authorities, and has been implemented by many countries in
recent years. Its adoption and implementation was expected to extensive changes may be necessary. This will affect how a
bring a paradigm shift in the management of public security, chief guides the organization toward the goals of community
with the introduction of partnership and teamwork between policing. A thorough analysis of current programs helps to
the security agencies and the community in a problem solving identify what will be required to integrate community
policing. Despite the expected benefits of the strategy in partnership and problem-solving strategies and expanded
policing and the success in the pilot sites, there are still major crime control and prevention tactics with preexisting policies.
obstacles to security reform in Kenya. Crime rates are still Identifying priorities for change will also permit police
high, there is wide spread accusation of corruption, and agencies to establish interim milestones for monitoring
policing approaches and actors are often politicized. progress.
Kirinyaga County in particular, has experienced communal
Another essential element of successful implementation is
clashes since the advent of multi-party politics in the early
communication. Communication must be timely,
1990s. Crime statistics indicate that the County recorded a
comprehensive, and direct. The chief executive must explain
total of 475 crime cases in the last twelve months with the
the concepts of community policing thoroughly to the entire
prevalent crimes being assault, offences against the person,
police organization, the local political leadership, public and
breakings, rape/attempted rape, general stealing and stock
private agencies, and the community at large. All participants
theft. (Source: Kirinyaga County Crime Statistics, 2013. Illicit
must understand their role in community policing efforts.
brews cases were also reported in the county. As such, much
Regular communication will encourage active participation
of the expected benefits of Community Policing are yet to be
and decrease resistance and opposition. Lines of
realized in the County. When Community Policing was
communication must be maintained both within the police
officially launched in Kenya in 2005, it was lauded as the
organization and between the police and participants within
solution to Kenya‘s policing problems. Furthermore,
the community. Successful implementation requires the
community policing was supposed to introduce partnership
smooth flow of information. The implementation of a
and problem-solving approaches aimed at improving the
community policing strategy must be a dynamic and flexible
relations between the security agencies and the community
process. Ongoing input, evaluation, and feedback from both
and to subsequently improve quality of police services,
inside and outside the police organization are essential to
notably reduced crime levels. However, the fruits of the much
making community policing work. All phases of community
praised and publicized strategy have not been forthcoming in
policing implementation must be carefully planned and
many parts of Kenya where it was rolled out, Kirinyaga
properly timed to maximize success; even good ideas can fail
County included. Crime levels are still high.
if they are poorly executed.
2.1.4 Implementation Process
Planning must be responsive to changing needs, conditions,
According to Sparrow, Malcolm K. 1988, the implementation and priorities. A strong research and planning capability that
of a community policing strategy is a complicated and is open to suggestion and criticism will allow refinements and
multifaceted process that, in essence, requires planning and revisions to be made during the implementation process. Such
managing for change. Community policing cannot be flexibility is crucial to the success of community policing.
established through a mere modification of existing policy; There are numerous ways in which police management can
profound changes must occur on every level and in every area steer agencies toward community policing. This chapter offers
of a police agency—from patrol officer to chief executive and guidelines that can be adapted to the circumstances of
from training to technology. A commitment to community different organizations and communities.
policing must guide every decision and every action of the
The long-term success of community policing in transforming
department.
the law enforcement profession depends on the willingness of
Implementation plans varries from agency to agency and local governments to pursue effective integration. Elected and
from community to community. The most appropriate appointed administrators must understand the law
implementation method will depend, in part, on internal and enforcement agency‘s implementation strategy and participate
external conditions facing the agency. For example, a chief in its development.
executive who comes into an organization that is ripe for
Collaboration between the police agency and local
change at a time when confidence in the police is low may
government officials is essential, since officers and
find that the organization will respond favorably to innovative
supervisors will routinely seek assistance from local
policies. On the other hand, a chief executive who inherits a
government departments for services from sanitation to
smoothly running organization may find it more difficult to
health. Regular communication with the heads of government
implement change.
agencies will help secure their assistance and will allow them
One factor that will affect the approach to implementation is to prepare their personnel for the additional service requests
the extent of change that is required. In some agencies, current that will be received.. According to Couper and Lobitz (1991),
operations procedures and management practices may already there is no ―right‖ way to implement community policing.
conform closely to community policing, while in others
Each of the following three approaches has strengths and which community members feel as if they are participants in
weaknesses. the community policing effort. Community policing provides
efficiency to the delivery of security to the citizens of a
2.1.5 Planning and implementing.
particular town or city. According to Moore and Stephens
This method entails developing a detailed long-range plan, (1991), in a decentralized policing organization, neighborhood
with tasks and timelines, and assigning officers to execute the patrol officers are responsible for the daily policing needs of
plan. It can also be done as the planning process continues, the community, with guidance and backing from supervisors.
the agency begins to implement certain aspects of the Their long-term shifts and neighborhood patrol assignments
program. This method allows the agency to get started give them the opportunity to function more efficiently and
quickly, involves more personnel at the outset, and permits successfully.
future planning to benefit from feedback. The third option is
2.1.8 Community Court System and Crime Prevention
for an agency with little preparation or knowledge of the
nature of community policing. This process is continuous, Community courts created will play arole in expediting justice
with each re-evaluation cycle advancing the idea of urgently within communities traditionally; courts have not
community policing a bit further within the organization. This been concerned with neighborhood conditions or solving
approach assumes that a limited knowledge of community community problems. In a typical centralized court, low-level
policing may prevent agencies from initially planning in a crimes are treated as isolated incidents rather than an ongoing
meaningful way quality-of-life problem. In contrast, community courts
promote constructive responses to low-level crime and
2.1.6 Challenges to community policing
provide service and feedback to the community (Feinblatt et
According to Cordner (1991), community policing may al., 1998; Sviridoff et al., 1997; Feinblatt and Berman, 1997;
encounter resistance from within the agency or the public as Kelling and Coles, 1996; Anderson, 1996; Rottman, 1996).
restructuring occurs. During the implementation of any Over the past five years, a growing number of urban
change, employees may feel threatened and seek ways to jurisdictions have begun to rethink the roles that community-
resist. This will be especially true if community policing is focused courts can play in responding to neighborhood
incorrectly perceived as being ―soft on crime‖ and as making problems. This stems largely from national interest in the
social service activities the patrol officers‘ primary experience of Community Court, launched in October 1993 by
responsibility. A critical aspect of implementation is the a coalition of civic and government leaders. Community Court
analysis of community policing efforts, both in terms of arraigns misdemeanants arrested for quality-of-life crimes in
achieving necessary change within the organization itself and the neighbor hoods. Community courts stem partly from the
accomplishing external goals (such as, establishing working effort in the 1970's to create neighborhood justice centers to
relationships with the community and reducing levels of bring local dispute resolution capacity to communities, often
crime, fear, and disorder). Ongoing analysis meets a number as an alternative to formal case processing (McGillis, 1997).
of fundamental needs. Community courts bring both formal court processing and
informal dispute resolution mechanisms into urban
Evaluating the impact of community policing is critical for neighborhoods. Housing a broad array of social services on-
many reasons. Key decision makers must be able to judge the site, they also promote voluntary service participation among
strategy‘s impact and cost- effectiveness, and the police
defendants and community members.
organization must be able to measure the success or failure of
its policies and activities. As with implementation methods, Community courts give neighborhood members a voice in the
analysis measures varies depending on the size of the justice system through advisory boards, which offer input into
organization and the nature of its current policies. This can be programs and identify pressing community needs, and
done through ongoing monitoring and evaluation process. community conditions panels, which draw together local
stakeholders to develop solutions to hot spots of crime and
2.1.7 Significance of community policing
disorder.
An effective community policing strategy will reduce
III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
neighborhood crime, decrease citizens‘ fear of crime, and
enhance the quality of life in the community. An important 3.0 Research methodology-The researcher used quantitative
goal of community policing is to provide higher quality and qualitative research methods to conduct the study.
service to neighborhoods; therefore, customer satisfaction
3.1-Research Design -The study pursued descriptive and
becomes an important measure of effectiveness. The
survey research design
perception of progress among community members and
ongoing feedback from all elements of the community are 3.2 Study Area- The study was conducted in Kutus and Kagio
essential parts of the analysis process. Randomly and in Kirinyaga County
routinely conducted surveys will inform the agency of the
Target Population. A study population of 600 entities was
public view of police performance, the level of fear and
used in the study. The population was derived from
concern, and will make the agency aware of the extent to
government officials, security officials, administrators, Table 4.1 Citizen Awareness on Community Policing
members of the public, members of the civil society,and
Ward Frequency Percentage (%)
community members.
Ngariama 37 20.4
3.3 Sampling technique and sample size A sample of 200
Tembere Ward 45 27.5
respondents was used in this study. Simple Random Sampling
and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the Kabare 20 10.9
respondents in this case. Kiine 15 8.6
Distribution of Household by Occupation This section looks at community partnership and crime. The
Table 4.4 Distribution of household by Occupation
frequency of the involvement of the community in policing
practices in the households ‗jurisdiction is given in Table 4.6.
Occupation Frequency (F) Percentage %
Table 4.6: Frequency of the involvement of the community members in
Farmers 118 65.3 policing
Civil servants 7 3.9 Practicing
Frequency (F) Percentage %
Business 30 16.7 Involvement
Very often 80 44.4
Skilled 10 5.5
Often 42 23.3
Unskilled 15 8.3
Occasional 54 30
Total 180 100
Rarely 11 2.3
Majority of households who participated in the study were Total 180 100
farmers 118 (65.6%), business men/women 30 (16.7%),
unskilled 15 (8.3%), skilled 10 (5.5%), and civil servants 7 Table 4.6 above indicates the frequency of community
(3.9%) by occupation. This shows that most of the residents involvement in policing at 44.4% being very often. This
stay within the county undertaking farming thus are directly confirms that the frequency of community policing by the
involved in the various aspects of community policing like community is high compared by only 2.3% whose response of
youth vigilante, nyumba kumi initiative and community court community policing gave a verdict of rarely. This was in
systems. accordance to an analysis by Ngari (2014).
Levels in Which Community Courts Helps Reduce Crime in Table 4.7 Statement on community partnership and crime
Kirinyaga County Strongly
Community partnership Disagree Agree
Table 4.5 Community courts and crime prevention Disagree
We work with the community
12.9 18.7 68.4
Response Frequency % towards a common interest.
The community is interested in
Very great extent 108 60 solving crime problems just as 51.3 40.9 7.8
Great extent 45 25 police are.
Community is aware of
Moderate extent 23 12.8
community policing and the
9.8 38.9 51.3
Low extent 4 2.2 community has enhanced crime
Total 180 100.0 prevention.
Confidence between community
27.5 41.5 31.0
and police.
In Table 4.5 above, 60 % of the respondents consider to a very
Community is familiar with
greater extent community courts have reduced the levels of common trends of crime acts due 26.4 50.8 22.8
crimes in Kirinyaga County, 25 % considers it to a great to frequent notices from the police.
extent, 12.8% to a moderate extent and 2.2% to a low extent. Trust between the community and
This implies that to a reasonable extent the respondents agree police in crime prevention 81.9 9.3 8.8
that the community court systems have influenced and
reduced the rates of crime in Kirinyaga County. This is in The results in Table 4.8 indicate that, majority of the
agreement with Mwaura (2014) who also found out that households (81.9%) strongly disagreed that trust between the
community court systems enhance basic mutual trust between police and the community has enhanced crime prevention,
the community, the police and other stakeholders. while a significant number of participants (31.1%)strongly
disagreed that there is confidence between community and
Community Court Systems can be interpreted therefore to
police makes reporting of crime easy, as statements regarding
influence the cause, spread and control of crimes. This is
community partnership and crime. Table 4.8 also reveals that
manifested in terms of participation whereby the community
a large proportion of the respondents agreed with; the
members have been empowerment and capacity built hence
community is familiar with common trends of crime acts due
they could interrogate, seek for accountability and criticize
to frequent notices and through community policing regarding
bad behaviors in the community and the County as a whole
community partnership and crime. However, a large
according to Njiri (2014).
percentage of the respondents agreed that they work with the
4.2 Effectiveness Community Policing in Crime Prevention community towards a common interest (68.4%), the
community is interested in solving crime problems. There is
This section looks at community policing and its effectiveness
little trust and confidence the community has in police officers
on crime prevention which is one of the objectives of the
as 81.9% disagreed and only 8.8% agreed. This was in
study. This section is divided into 3 parts namely: the
accordance to the findings by Maina (2014).
community partnership and crime, preventive-strategy, and
problem-solving strategies and crime.
Youth Vigilante and Crime Prevention Table 4.10 shows that 70 % of the respondents consider to a
Table 4.8: Extent that youth vigilante influence crime prevention in Kirinyaga
very greater extent their education influences community
County policing that is Nyumba kumi initiative, community court
system and youth vigilante, 15.6 % considers it to a great
Response Frequency % extent, 8.3% to a moderate extent and 6.1% to a low extent.
Very great extent 90 50 This implies that to a reasonable extent the respondents agree
Great extent 63 35 that the levels of education influenced community policing
that are the levels of crime prevention in Kirinyaga County.
Moderate extent 23 12.8
The level of education can be interpreted therefore to
Low extent 4 2.2 influence crime management, planning and control. This is
Total 180 100 manifested in terms of participation whereby those with low
education have low understanding on how to effectively and
Table 4.8 shows that 50 % of the respondents consider youth efficiently be vigilant and communicate on security issues.
vigilante to a very greater extent influence on crime
prevention in Kirinyaga County, 35 % considers it to a great Unlike the community that has empowerment and capacity
extent, 12.8% to a moderate extent and 2.2% to a low extent. building, they will be always observant, vigilant and
This implies that to a reasonable extent the respondents agree effectively communicate any form of anomalies in the
that the levels of crime in the County has been reduced community. This in agreement with Chriss (2007).
through youth vigilantes who engage in night patrols to Attitude Factors Affecting Community Policing and Crime
counter any form of insecurity and crime. Youth vigilante Prevention
initiative as a means of community policing can be interpreted
therefore to influence the rate of crime happenings in the Table 4.11: Attitude factors affect community policing and crime prevention.
County especially at night. This was agreeing to a report by Response Frequency %
Koki (2009).
Strongly agree 111 61.7
Involvement of Community in Community Policing as a Agree 59 32.8
Means of Crime Prevention
Disagree 10 5.5
Table 4.9 Involvement of community in community policing
Strongly disagree 0 0
Involvement of the community
Frequency % Total 180 100.0
in community policing
YES 150 83.3
NO 30 16.7 Table 4.11 Establish that the attitude of the community
TOTAL 180 100.0 members on community policing was very significant for the
participation of the respondents as majority (61.7%) strongly
Table 4.9 indicates that, majority of the households 150 agreed that attitude highly affect the level of participation of
(83.3%) agreed that involving the community in community community members in community policing. And they were
policing has helped reduce or prevent crime levels in the area followed by those who agreed at 32.8%. Those who cited that
while 30(16.7%) disagreed. The study sought to find out some attitude did not affect community policing disagreed to an
of the public and/or private agencies involved in community extent of 5.5%. This means that community regards the
policing partnership to combat criminal activities in the area. attitude as most factor to community policing. This is a
The responses given include: chiefs; district officers; police; positive attribute to the community as they are likely to
and county government. The most common techniques benefit more if all the members of the community irrespective
employed to facilitate community policing partnership to of age can initiate the community policing initiatives and
combat crime. This study was highlighted by The Kenya embrace a positive attitude. This is in agreement with a thesis
Police Service in their Annual Crime Report (2014). by Nwaeze (2010).
Levels of Communication and Community Policing Discussions
Table 4.10: Extent that the levels of education influence community policing Information obtained from FGD and Key informant
Response Frequency %
interviews corroborated data from the survey. From the FGD,
it came out clearly that so many residents from Kirinyaga
Very great extent 126 70
county take active part in community policing as they believe
Great extent 28 15.6 that if they work together they can achieve crime prevention.
Moderate extent 15 8.3 Most of them have the knowledge of community policing and
take active part in initiatives like Nyumba kumi initiative,
Low extent 11 6.1
community court system that is presided over by elders as
Total 180 100 well as youth vigilante groups through night patrols.
Through community policing crime rates have reduced in the their way out of police custody. The sampled group
county but there is still need for more education, agreed that community policing program was being
empowerment and capacity building to the community implemented correctly and was impacting positively
members to better and encourage more involvement. Also in preventing crime in Kirinyaga County‘.
through education the community members get to learn on
ii. On objective two, the effectiveness of youth
how to be vigilant and effectively and efficiently
vigilante as a means of crime prevention in Kirinyaga
communicate any form of anomalies that may be realized in
County. The findings revealed that the youth
the community.
vigilante groups were very successful in in
From the FGD it was realized that though effective preventing crime in many areas of Kirinyaga County.
community policing is effective in crime prevention, there is As per Table 4.8, over 50 % of the respondents
need to fill the disparity gap in terms of gender equity in consider youth vigilante to a very greater extent
constituting the various community policing groups. It was influence on crime prevention in Kirinyaga County,
noted that the groups should be all inclusive of men women 35 % considers it to a great extent, 12.8% to a
and the youth with a major focus on women and the youth moderate extent and 2.2% to a low extent. This
since they are heavily impacted on by crimes such as rape, explains that the majority of the citizens in
robbery, drug abuse, petty thefts and domestic violence. Kirinyaga County agree that the levels of crime in
the County has been reduced through youth vigilante
From the interviews with the key informants, it was clear that
youths who engage in night patrols to counter any
there is little trust between the community members and the
form of insecurity and crime. This finding is
police. The community believes that it is the police that
supported by a similar study reported by Koki
facilitate most of the crimes as they protect the culprits. They
(2009).
have also been accused of taking bribes from the community
as well as the criminals hence encouraging the rise in crime iii. On objective three, the role played by Kirinyaga
rates thus the community members decided on community communities in promoting community based court
policing as a means of crime prevention which so far has process to reduce crimes in Kirinyaga County, the
succeeded. majority of respondents agreed that the Nyumba
kumi initiative had helped in reducing crime in the
It was also noted that in areas with high crime rates like Inoi,
various towns and villages in Kirinyaga County. The
Tebere, Kariti and Thiba still need more education,
respondents also agreed that the community court
empowerment and capacity building so that they can embrace
system where complaints about petty crimes were
community policing at its best. This will change the attitude of
solved through community court system instead of
the community towards community policing and encourage
the regular courts has a major effect in reducing
inclusive and active participation.
crime due to un delayed justice being carried out
Among the community policing initiative, it was clear that without delay. The respondents agreed further that
Nyumba kumi initiative was most preferred to community the education level of respondents was helpful in
court system and youth vigilante since it‘s a smaller unit supporting the involvement of the vigilantes and the
through which neighborhood can use to protect their community court systems in Nyumba communities in
territories from crimes. Kirinyaga County. This finding agrees with the
findings reported by Baker (2008).
V. FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS 5.2 Conclusion
5-1 Findings The researcher concludes that as per study in Kirinyaga
County, community policing is highly effective in reducing
i. On the objective one , the effectiveness of joint
crime rate and preventing crime if the process is well
community-police patrols in prevention crime rate in
organized through clear information and awareness process.
Kirinyaga County. The findings revealed that there
The researcher concludes further that the use of vigilante
was reasonable awareness among the citizens of
youth groups have been successful in preventing and reducing
Kirinyaga County about the need for community crime rate. The researcher also concludes that the findings
policing. The results also show that the majority of have indicated that the Nyumba kumi initiatives have been
the respondents were aware of the advantages and
been successful in solving petty crime cases through the
benefits of community policing. The results further
community based court system.
show that the community policing program was
being implemented successfully among Kirinyaga The researcher notes that there may be difficulties in running
communities. They also believe that when police these programs loke nyumba kumi community policing, and
and security agents cooperate with local vigilante youth crime prevention program, and the community
communities in community policing most of the court system due to lack of training, lack of capacity , lack of
criminals are being exposed and no criminals buy funding for those involved and lack of commitment by over
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