Implications of Regional Politics on Youth Employment in the Police Service: A Case of Laikipia County, Kenya
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Date
2019-03
Authors
Nyamu, Gedion Miriti
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The problem of employment among the youth is a challenge that affects their livelihoods. After
one has attained the age of majority (over 18 years) and has basic education, what one carries is a
hope of getting gainful employment. Employment gives young people hope, stability, identity, a
sense of belonging and an opportunity to settle down in life. The reason for this study was to
investigate the ramifications of regional politics on youth employment in the police service: An
instance of Laikipia County. The research was guided by the following particular objectives:
identify the criteria of youth choice and recruitment in the police service; establish how the
numbers are distributed throughout the county; identify challenges faced in getting qualified
recruits and to find out a better strategy for recruiting and hiring of the youth into the police
service. The study was guided by descriptive design which was complimented by exploratory
research design. The target populations were 384 people, sample sizes were 183 people and the
sampling technique were both purposive and simple random sampling. Questionnaires and
interview schedules were used as research instruments in this study. Quantitative data was
analyzed using descriptive statistics e.g. averages, mean, standard deviation etc. while qualitative
data was analyzed according to themes and patterns formed. The expected results will help in the
non-biased recruitment, avoid nepotism and help get a better strategy of youth recruitment in
police service in Laikipia County. This study was based on new public management theory
conceptualized by Hood (1991). It was conducted through a descriptive research design to
answer questions that have been raised, to solve problem that have been posed or observed. The
target population consisted of senior police commanders, support staff, High School Heads,
Youths, parents and Area Chiefs and sub-chiefs (informants) in Laikipia County. Questionnaires
and interview schedules were used as the main tools of data collection. Quantitative data was
analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentage, median, standard deviation and range
and qualitative data was analyzed using the formed themes and pattern. The expected results
were to enhance strategies that would ensure effectiveness during selection and recruitment of
youth into the police service. The study found out that regional politics has a significant
influence on the recruitment of youth into the police service. Corruption has also been
highlighted as another factor that influences the recruitment and selection of youth into the police
service. The study recommends that corruption and political interference should be reduced to
allow the recruitment process to maintain free and fair grounds so as to select and hire the most
qualified youth into the police service who can be more competent in service delivery.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Security,Diplomacy and Peace Studies, in Partial Fulfilment of Requirement for Masters Degree in Security Management and Police Studies in the Department of Security and Correction Science, Kentatta University