Browsing by Author "Handa, Stephen"

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    Determinants of Successful Implementation of Interagency Counterterrorism Strategies in Lamu County, Kenya
    (CEDRED, 2025-06) Kirwa, Augustine Kiplimo; Handa, Stephen
    The purpose of the study was to investigate the determinants of successful interagency counterterrorism strategies in Lamu County, Kenya, focusing on institutional coordination, resource allocation and intelligence sharing. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data was gathered from 115 respondents, including security personnel, government officials and community leaders, through questionnaires, interviews, document reviews and observations. Findings of the study highlight trust, clear communication and joint training as critical enablers of collaboration, while resource constraints, bureaucratic inefficiencies and mistrust pose significant challenges. The study recommends establishing formalized communication channels, increasing investments in surveillance technologies and formalizing communitybased counterterrorism units to enhance operational success. These insights provide a framework for policymakers to strengthen interagency cooperation in terrorism-prone regions like Lamu.
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    The Effectiveness of Existing Personal Security Measures in Countering Organized Criminal Gangs’ Activities in Mombasa County, Kenya
    (Centre for Democracy, Research and Development (CEDRED) and African Interdisciplinary Studies, 2025-04) Mohammed, Rubea Katani; Handa, Stephen
    The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of existing personal security measures on mitigating organized criminal gangs’ activities in Mombasa County, Kenya. Literature was reviewed on Organized Criminal Gangs (OCGs) in Urban Africa, Personal Security Measures and Crime Prevention and Community-Law Enforcement Synergy. This study employed a mixed-methods approach with a descriptive research design to examine personal security measures against OCGs in Mombasa County, Kenya. Guided by Durrheim’s (2004) framework, the methodology integrated quantitative surveys (n=112) and qualitative interviews with key stakeholders including law enforcement, community policing groups and political leaders to assess the effectiveness of security interventions. Findings revealed that while technological measures like CCTV (78% approval) and private security services (51% adoption) were widely supported, structural barriers such as political interference, resource constraints and gang adaptability limited their impact. Only 23% of respondents endorsed firearm ownership due to financial and regulatory hurdles, while neighborhood patrols faced distrust (51% disapproval) over alleged extortion ties. The study highlights critical gaps in policy enforcement and socio-economic disparities in security access, underscoring the need for integrated state-community strategies to disrupt OCG resilience. The study recommendations include stricter penalties for gang sponsors, enhanced county-level security coordination and rotational policing to curb collusion. The findings align with Creswell’s (2012) emphasis on mixed-methods rigor, offering actionable insights for balancing technological, communal and institutional approaches to urban security. Despite localized efforts, OCGs persist due to systemic vulnerabilities, necessitating holistic reforms to safeguard vulnerable populations