Dynamics of Organized Crimes and Personal Security Initiatives in Mombasa County, Kenya (2015-2024)
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Date
2025-06
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Organized criminal gangs engage in activities driven by a desire to maximize profits and gain power to safeguard their illicit operations. Their undertakings have significantly undermined personal security within their areas of operation. This study's overarching objective was to examine the dynamics of organized criminal gangs and their impact on personal security in Mombasa County. The study specifically aimed to analyze the factors contributing to the resilience of organized criminal gangs, assess the strengths and weaknesses of the institutional frameworks addressing organized criminal gangs and evaluate the effectiveness of personal security initiatives to counter their activities in Mombasa County. It was guided by the gap theory of crime and employed a descriptive research design. The target population was 156 and included state officials from relevant government departments, elected leaders, public opinion leaders, business leaders and former members of proscribed organized criminal gangs. From this group, a sample size of 112 participants was selected using stratified, simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Data collection was conducted through questionnaires containing closed and open-ended questions, as well as interviews schedules. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, while content analysis was used for qualitative data. The study revealed that the primary enablers of organized criminal gangs' resilience include political patronage and sponsorship, ungoverned spaces in rapidly growing informal settlements that hinder law enforcement, corruption within the criminal justice system and drug abuse. On the legal and policy framework, the findings indicated that while Kenya has robust laws and policies to combat organized criminal gangs, more than half of the respondents perceived the framework as ineffective. Regarding personal security counter initiatives, investments in security technologies and hiring private security guards were identified as the most effective measures against crimes perpetrated by organized criminal gangs. The study recommends imposing stricter penalties on sponsors of organized criminal gangs, revising the legal framework to enhance synergy and complementarity for effective prosecutions and convictions and adopting a whole-of-government and society approach to improve physical security for residents of Mombasa County. Additionally, the findings provide valuable insights for scholars studying organized crime, serving as a reference or foundation for further research.
Description
A Project Report Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science in Security and Strategic Studies in the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences of Kenyatta University June, 2025
Supervisor:
1.Stephen Handa