Effects of ICT on immigration service delivery in border towns in Kenya(A Case Study Of Isebania And Busia Border Control Points)

Abstract

This research project investigated ICTs and its effects on Immigration service delivery in Isebania and Busia Border Control Points in Kenya. Control duties at state borders include tasks connected with various aspects of border security breaches such as prevention of smuggling of goods, narcotics, arms and persons across borders and strengthening of control due to threats of International Terrorism. Suppression of these requires a wide spectrum of strict control mechanisms. Thus, ICTs seeks to respond effectively to the seemingly competing demands of facilitating mobility while better managing the risks associated with cross border travel. This research project therefore investigated the effects of ICTs with the objective to establish the extent to which factors in the available literature influenced service delivery in lsebania and Busia Border Control Points. The study adopted descriptive research design with a target population 185 employees working in different agencies working at lsebania and Busia borders in Kenya. A sample population of 20 respondents was obtained using stratified random sampling method. Data was collected using semi- structured questionnaire which was administered by dropping to the respondents and picking later. The data collected was analyzed using both qualitative techniques including content analysis and quantitative techniques (especially descriptive statistics and regression analysis as the inferential statistics with the aid of the SPSS package). The report is presented in terms of tables. The results of the study show that the use of ICT promotes service delivery. It also found that Border security can be greatly enhanced when ICT is employed. It was established that ICT can be used in records management. The results further led to the conclusion that ICT promotes the technical development and interaction that is needed for more effectively sharing information, identifying risks and efficient service delivery. The study also concludes that Inter agency cooperation can deliver efficient service delivery. Lastly the study concludes that records management is becoming increasingly dependent on technology. The study recommends that In order to maintain security, comprehensive policies and administrative structures need to be developed. Other agencies which do not have ICT systems like the border police should be provided with ICT facilities and training. More studies need to be carried out in this area especially to investigate the effects of a common regulatory control distributed across multiple agencies at the border on service delivery.