Information Technology and Crime Control in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Abstract

With the advent of technology, criminals have adopted the use of technology in committing crimes making it imperative for the investigative agencies to adopt electronic tools in crime investigation, detection and sharing information. The nature of crimes has been changing hence the need for policing agencies to train and hire people with the skills on technology use. This study therefore aimed at ascertaining the effect of the use of information technology on crime control in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The specific objectives were; to examine the effect of investigation using electronic methods on crime control in Nairobi City County, to ascertain the effect of crime detection using electronic methods on crime control in Nairobi City County, to evaluate the effect of data recording using electronic methods on crime control in Nairobi City and lastly to evaluate the effect of data transmission using electronic methods on crime control on crime control in Nairobi City County. This study was guided by the Unified theory of acceptance and unified technology model and Diffusion innovation model. The descriptive research design was utilised. The target population was 2,031 police officers stationed at various units in Nairobi City County with the sample size being 204. Questionnaires were utilised in data collection. A multiple regression analysis was utilised in analysing the quantitative data with the aid of SPSS version 24. Reliability and validity of data was also ascertained prior to data collection and analysis with the overall Cronbach coefficient being .779. Data presentation was done using figures, charts and tables. Ethical considerations were also considered through the entire study. The outcome from the study showed that electronic crime investigation had a significant and positive effect on crime control based on the regression coefficient of 1.107 and p value of .000. The findings further revealed that electronic crime detection has a significant and positive effect on crime control with a regression coefficient of .854 and p value of .000. The results also showed that electronic data recording had a significant and positive effect on crime control as shown by the regression coefficient of .250 and p value of .009. Lastly the outcome from the regression analysis showed that electronic data transmission had a significant and positive effect on crime control as shown by coefficient of 0.259 and p value of 0.000. The study concluded that electronic methods have a significant and positive effect on crime control and thus help in reducing the crime rates in Nairobi City County. The study recommends that the National Police Service should enhance the use of electronic methods in crime control in addition to training of the police officers to enhance their effectiveness in the use of the electronic methods. The study recommends that further studies should be done to cover the rural counties in Kenya.