Security Awareness and Students’ Safety in Selected Universities in Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Mwiti, Antony Manyara
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta university
Abstract
The prevalence of criminal attacks and victimization of university students is an issue of
global concern. Such incidences have been observed with increasing regularity in Kenyan
universities. This study sought to explore how security awareness can enhance students’
safety in universities in Kenya. The specific objectives of this study were to investigate
factors that cause students’ vulnerability to criminal attacks; examine how observance of
principles of security can enhance safety of university students and analyze non-personal
security strategies for enhancing student’s safety. The study reviewed empirical literature
to shed light on the thematic areas. The research, which adopted the Routine Activity
Theory, used cross-sectional descriptive survey design, and was carried out in Kabarak,
Egerton and Kenyatta Universities. Respondents and informants of the study were chosen
using mixed sampling techniques which included random, stratified, and purposive
sampling. Field data was collected using questionnaires and interview guides. The data
collected was analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Simple
descriptive statistics were used to present quantitative data and qualitative data was
presented verbatim. This study concluded that observance of principles of personal
security can be used to reduce individual vulnerability of university students in Kenya to
security threats. The study further noted a host of factors that make students vulnerable to
criminal attacks key among them being their poor observance of principles of personal
security. Finally, the research explored non-personal security measures whose adoption
by universities in Kenya could enhance students’ safety. From the findings, the study
vouched for the training of university students to enhance their security awareness and
the enactment and periodical review of campus security policies to remain relevant in the
era of dynamic contemporary security threats. Other recommendations include the active
profiling of potential offenders, periodic conduct of threat assessment, integrating
technology to enhance students’ safety, development of emergency response plans and
the adoption of a layered approach to university security plans in all areas of the
campuses: entry points, the building infrastructure of the lecture halls, libraries, and halls
of residence. Cumulatively, these measures will enable the university communities to
remain proactive in anticipating and responding to potential threats to students’ safety in
Kenyan Universities.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Law, Arts and
Social Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for
the Award of the Degree of Master of Science in Strategic
Security Studies of Kenyatta University
Keywords
Security Awareness, Students’ Safety, Universities, Kenya