EFFECT OF MERGERS ON SECURITY MANAGEMENT IN THE NATIONAL POLICE SERVICE, BUSIA COUNTY, KENYA

CHARLES KIMUNUI CHESSETO; DAVID M. MINJA

doi:10.61426/rjssh.v6i1.426

CHARLES KIMUNUI CHESSETO MBA (Public Policy and Administration) Student, School of Law Arts and Social Sciences, Kenyatta University, Kenya
DAVID M. MINJA, PhD Lecturer, Department of Public Policy and Administration, School of Law Arts and Social Sciences, Kenyatta University, Kenya

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61426/rjssh.v6i1.426

Keywords: Police Service Restructuring, Harmonized Recruitment, Harmonized Training, Stakeholder

Abstract

This study explored the effect of the National Police Service mergers on security management in Busia County, Kenya. This study was guided by four specific objectives: to examine the influence of police service restructuring on security management in Busia county, to investigate the effect of harmonized recruitment and selection on security management; to assess the effect of harmonized training and development on security management; and to analyze the effect of stakeholder collaboration and community engagement on security management. The dependent variable was the effectiveness of security management, whilst the independent variables were police service restructuring, harmonized recruitment and selection, harmonized training and development, and stakeholder collaboration. The study was anchored on Kurt Lewin’s Change Management Model and the Theory of Conglomerate Mergers. It adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design, which enabled the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data at a single point in time. The collected data was analyzed using the SPSS to ensure a comprehensive understanding of how the different variables have been effective in Security management in the country. The Study targeted 1790 respondents composed of Police Officers, Peace promoters, National Government Administrators and Village elders. A sample of 179 was eventually included in the research. Stratified random sampling and purposive sampling was adopted to arrive at the sample. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis for quantitative data. Thematic analysis was used on qualitative data. This data was presented utilizing tables, graphs, charts and narratives. The findings demonstrated that; Police Service Restructuring had a strong and statistically significant positive influence on security management, with high levels of respondent agreement and a standardized beta coefficient of 0.975. Harmonized recruitment and selection contributed positively to effective security management. The model demonstrated strong statistical significance (t = 50.595, p < .001. Harmonized Training and Development had a very strong positive influence on security management, supported by a high correlation (R = 0.972) and significant prediction of variance (94.5%) in security outcomes. Stakeholder Collaboration also significantly influenced security management, suggesting that partnerships with community members and other stakeholders enhanced the effectiveness of security interventions. The research concluded that the merger-related reforms had a significantly positive effect on security management in Busia County.

Author Biographies

CHARLES KIMUNUI CHESSETO, MBA (Public Policy and Administration) Student, School of Law Arts and Social Sciences, Kenyatta University, Kenya

MBA (Public Policy and Administration) Student, School of Law Arts and Social Sciences, Kenyatta University, Kenya

DAVID M. MINJA, PhD, Lecturer, Department of Public Policy and Administration, School of Law Arts and Social Sciences, Kenyatta University, Kenya

Lecturer, Department of Public Policy and Administration, School of Law Arts and Social Sciences, Kenyatta University, Kenya

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