POLICING INITIATIVES AND INSECURITY
Abstract
The study examined how community policing projects affect insecurity in Pokot North Sub-County, West Pokot County, Kenya. Despite the introduction of community policing in 2005 to strengthen police–community partnerships, insecurity in the area persists in the form of cattle rustling, inter-clan conflicts, and cross-border killings. The study focused on assessing the effect of partnerships, Chapter Three of the study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population comprised administrative officers, chiefs, police officers, community policing committee members, religious leaders, youth representatives, and community members. A sample size of 100 respondents was selected from a population of 134,485 using Yamane’s formula. Purposive and stratified sampling techniques were employed. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS and presented using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically and presented in narrative form. The findings were summarized per objective as follows: First, on partnerships, the study found that stronger police–community collaboration significantly contributed to reducing insecurity by improving intelligence sharing and joint response to threats. findings revealed that involving youth in security initiatives and economic empowerment programs reduced their vulnerability to involvement in criminal and violent activities. Ethical considerations were strictly adhered to throughout the study. These included obtaining informed consent from all participants, ensuring confidentiality and anonymity of respondents, seeking research clearance from relevant authorities, and emphasizing voluntary participation with the right to withdraw at any stage without penalty. The study recommends strengthening police–community partnerships, increasing investment in capacity building programs for local security actors, formalizing and supporting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and expanding youth engagement initiatives to enhance employment and participation in peacebuilding activities. These interventions are expected to improve security outcomes in pastoral and border communities.
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