National Police Service Response Strategy in the Management of Covid-19 Containment Measures in Nairobi City County, Kenya
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Date
2022
Authors
Ng’ang’a, Jeremiah Mwaura
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) affected all countries across the globe and tested the resilience, efficiency, and inadequacy of measures put in place by response teams. This study sought to investigate the National Police Service (NPS) response strategy in the management of COVID-19 containment measures in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The NPS response strategy, guided by the variables of capacity of NPS response teams, coordination of NPS response strategy, and level of public satisfaction, was the independent variable, while the management of COVID-19 containment measures represented by the management of the ban on public gatherings, curfew timings, mandatory use of face masks and public transport measures was the dependent variable. Political goodwill was the intervening variable. The study was anchored on the New Public Management theory and the National Intelligence Model and adopted an exploratory research design. The target population was 4,000 people who included NPS officers, NPS managers, and members of the public. A sample size of 350 respondents was finally utilized in the study and primary data was collected using questionnaires and interview guides. The validity and reliability were tested for consistency using the Cronbach’s coefficient alpha technique and all instruments were found to be reliable with values of 0.7 and above. Quantitative data were analyzed and presented using statistical tables and figures and qualitative data were organized into themes and excerpts reported verbatim. Analyzed data revealed major findings as follows: On capacity of NPS response teams, respondents agreed that: NPS had given appropriate training 44.0 percent, NPS had imparted adequate knowledge 38.6 percent, NPS had provided adequate information 42.6 percent and NPS mobilized enough resources 40.9 percent. On coordination of NPS response strategy, respondents strongly agreed that: NPS incorporated multi-agency partnerships 41.1 percent, NPS harmonized its operations 41.7 percent and NPS had adequate communication strategies 40.1 percent. On the level of public satisfaction, respondents agreed that: NPS actions were transparent 45.4 percent, NPS was accountable to the public 37.3 percent, the police-public relationship was good 37.4 percent and NPS operations and actions were legitimate 39.4 percent. These findings implied that each construct, positively, and significantly impacted on management of COVID-19 containment measures. In summary, the overall findings and conclusions revealed that the variables of NPS response teams, coordination of NPS response strategy, and the level of public satisfaction individually, jointly, positively, and significantly influenced the successful management of COVID-19 containment measures. The political goodwill facilitated the successful interaction between the NPS response strategy and management of COVID-19 containment measures. The study recommended the formation of an Emergency Situations Response Unit, development of harmonized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), integration of technology, emergency budget allocations, formulation of support policies, provision of pre-planned contingency plans, and protection of human rights in the management of emergencies. The research suggests further research on the need for joint coordinated pre-deployment training to recommend the best training models that would enhance operational efficiency during emergencies; the need for harmonized communication strategies during emergency operations; the use of technology in emergency operations; the enhancement of good police-public relationships during emergency operations; and challenges involved in policing an individual during emergencies.
Description
A Project Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Security Management and Police Studies in the School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies of Kenyatta University, June 2022
Keywords
National Police Service, Response Strategy, Management, Covid-19, Containment Measures, Nairobi City County, Kenya