Analysis of the Influence of Checks and Balances on Security Service Delivery in National Police Service, Kenya

Abstract

Security is vital for the holistic development of the human person. Insecurity hinders socio-economic-religio-political growth in different ways. These include threats to physical security, the absence of safe living environments, dangers that prevent people from achieving sustainable livelihoods, and the impact upon health and education services. As one of the main providers of security, the National police service plays a pivotal role in creating the conditions for safety of property and human being. However, all too often the National Police Service in Kenya has over the years accused of ineffectiveness. This ineffectiveness has been hungered on failure to have efficient checks and balances in the NPS. Empirical studies indicate that, despite regulating bodies providing checks and balances in National police service, little significance has been realized. Checks and balances serve several functions, especially preventing one government entity/department from consolidating extreme power, afford better policies through deliberation and precludes one government branch from going out of its constitutional mandate. In a diffuse system, checks and balances play a critical role in determining the locus of accountability and allocating power between central government organs. Previous studies haven't shade light on checks and balances enshrined in the constitutional structures for a structural association of the independent institutions. Therefore, this research sought to determine the effects of checks and balances on security services delivery by National Police Service (NPS) in Kenya. Results indicate that, checks and balances significantly influence the quality of security services delivered by NPS. However, it had a positive influence in terms of regulatory structures currently in place and oversight being carried out objectively. IPOA was not effective in its oversight responsibilities as per IPOA Act 2011 (Revised 2012) and IPOA strategic plan 2014. Thus, targeted efforts should be channelled towards re-vitalizing the spirit, mission, mandate and objectives of IPOA, community policing, NPSC and AIU as a crucial agency for police/civilian rights promotion and advocacy.