Browsing by Author "Sirera, Ann Merecia"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Examining Commercialized Security Industry’s Services on National Security in Nairobi County, Kenya
    (Technium Social Sciences Journal, 2020) Mutonyi, Gerald; Sirera, Ann Merecia; Mwai, Wangari
    Maintenance of security and good order for the citizens, had traditionally been undertaken by the state. However, non-state actors have come up to offer security to those who can afford to pay for it. And this is the liberalists view of the provision of security that, the pursuance of security can be achieved with the involvement of other actors offering the same. Despite this development, few studies have examined commercialized security industry services on national security in Kenya. Using Security Governance theory and Network Analysis theory, this study sought to understand the topic. The study took on a cross sectional survey design, and was carried out in Nairobi with the adult residents as the target population. A multistage sampling technique was employed to obtain the respondents. Questionnaires, scheduled interviews and structured observation were used to collect data. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 25, 2017) was used in data management and analysis. The results demonstrate that (1) Manned guarding significantly contributes to the 26 % of outcome of the commercialized security B = .260, β = .135, P = .007; (2) Alarm and Electronics 22.9 %; B = .229, β = .224, P = .001; (3) CVIT security service contributes significantly and positively at 10.8 %; B = .108, β = .118, P = .018. While commercial investigative security service 3.6 % (B = .036, β = .084, P < = .103 although it was not significant. The study concluded that, commercialized security though motivated by profit making plays a significant role that enhances state capacity in provision of security as well as contributes to safety of citizens. Thus the study recommended that, there should be efforts to increase the usage of commercialized security investigation service. It is expected that the findings of this research will provide data that can be used to inform policy and practice amongst commercial security providers to increase their impact on national security in Kenya. The data can also stimulate the academic community towards more research in the field.
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    Policing Pests on Plants: Securitisation of Desert Locust Management to Protect Human Security
    (Path of Science, 2024-01-31) Gachie, Eliud Baraka; Sirera, Ann Merecia; Ong’amo, George Otieno
    The gregarious desert locust is one of the most dangerous pests that require urgent and extreme interventions. The study, therefore, sought to analyse desert locust management practices that were securitised to protect human security in Kenya. The study employed a mixed methods approach using ex-post facto evaluation and cross-sectional survey designs. The target population included desert locust-affected persons. A multi-stage sampling approach using stratified and purposive sampling techniques was used to target a sample size of 900 respondents drawn from 30 counties affected by desert locusts. Structured questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGD) were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data was analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics using frequencies, percentages and ordinal logistic regression. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis and incorporated in the discussion. The results showed the securitisation of chemical control, recovery programs, physical control, surveillance and indigenous technical knowledge and skills (ITKS), contributing 43%, 16%, 16%, 15% and 10% in safeguarding human security against desert locust risks. From the findings, the study concludes that all the phases of managing desert locusts were securitised to protect human security. Since the securitisation of chemical control had the highest contribution in protecting human security against desert locust risks, the study recommends research on applying biological pesticides rather than synthetic insecticides.
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    The Dilemma of Balancing between Benefits and Risks: Desert Locust Management Best Practices
    (Path of Science, 2023-09-30) Gachie, Eliud Baraka; Sirera, Ann Merecia; Ong’amo, George Otieno
    While desert locusts threaten human security, their management can introduce unintended risks, leading to a normative dilemma. Therefore, this study sought to determine desert locust management best practices that can protect human security from pests and management practices in Kenya. The analysis used ex-post facto evaluation and cross-sectional survey designs. The target population included desert locust-affected persons. A multi-stage sampling approach using stratified and purposive random sampling techniques was used to target a sample size of 900 respondents. Structured questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGD) were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data was analysed using frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis and incorporated in the discussion. The findings revealed that there were several possible desert locust management best practices. The study concludes that the integrated pest management (IPM) approach presents the most preferred opportunity to build resilience against human resource, technical and financial challenges through the progressive use of readily available knowledge and skills during physical control before advancing to more sophisticated strategies such as biological and chemical control options. The study recommends that scholars, policymakers and practitioners develop a customised IPM strategy for desert locust management in Kenya.
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    Vicarious Traumatization among Professional Caregivers and Support Staff in Selected Hospices in Kenya
    (isij.in, 2016) Musili, Phelista Marura; Sirera, Ann Merecia; Kathungu, Beatrice M.
    Hospice workers are constantly exposed to the trauma experienced by the clients they interact with daily in their work settings. The purpose of the current study was to determine the prevalence of vicarious trauma (VT) among the hospice caregivers in selected hospices in Kenya. A tool adapted from Vicarious Trauma Scale was utilized to assess prevalence and levels of vicarious trauma among the participants. A brief questionnaire was also was used to obtain demographic information of the participants. A total of 70 male and female staff in the various occupations and positions within the hospices were included in the study. Data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study findings revealed a VT prevalence rate of 67% among hospice workers. The findings showed that vicarious trauma is a real threat to care givers working in hospices. The study recommended that there is need to educate caregivers about the existence and possible risk factors of vicarious trauma. These findings offer valuable information for developing staff competencies in the workplace and ensure appropriate intervention as well as practitioner support programs.