A Research Project Submitted to the Institute of Peace and Security Studies in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of Degree of Master of Security Management and Police Studies

Abstract

Management of public demonstrations is amongst the duties bestowed on law enforcement officers in preservation of law and order in society. Unfortunately, there are instances where public demonstration management by the Police turns out to be the cause of major conflicts that results in destruction of property, bodily injuries and at times fatalities which is contrary to what is expected. Yet few studies have examined the challenges that police officers face in the management of public demonstrations. This study sought to establish the challenges facing the police in handling demonstration in Kenya using Nairobi County as a case study. The study focused on comparing the police numerical capacity, training, planning and intelligence gathering in management of the public demonstrations. First the study provided insight to the background, problem statement and significance, research questions, objectives, theoretical and conceptual framework of the research. These aspects were covered through a critical review of existing literature, secondary data and a survey targeting areas that mostly held demonstrations such as the civil society groups and the Kenya human rights groups against various grievances such as against legislatures' salary increase demands. The study used descriptive research design in collection of data. The target population consisted of police officers drawn from Kenya Police service, specifically police stations situated across Nairobi County and members of the public who had been participating in demonstrations. The study used multi-stage sampling to obtain sample population for the study. Primary data was collected using questionnaires which ensured that the details and relevant information was collected. Data was analysed using descriptive and regression statistics with the aid of SPSS 21. Data was presented using tables. The study found out that availability of resources (p-value=001), planning (p-value =0.004); inter-agency coordination (p-value =0.002) and intelligence gathering (p-value =0.007) are smaller than the significance level of 0.05 hence influence the management of public demonstration in Kenya to a higher level. Police officers are usually constrained by inadequate numerical strength, tools and equipment available to policemen for proactive crowd management. Police forces regularly request mutual aid from other forces (agencies) which necessitate shared responsibility and cooperation for a successful crowd management. During crowd demonstration however there is poor coordination and sharing of responsibilities. In the management of demonstrations police do not usually identify and arrange for special support, sufficient resources and adequate administrative/ support personnel. Police agencies usually do not gather useful intelligence and information on demonstrations hence affecting the management of public demonstrations. There is need for the police service commission to avail policemen necessary resources, to develop written understanding that outline the roles and rules for each of the agencies involved in the joint endeavour, to ensure early and effective planning and to communicate intelligence gathered in a timely manner to the users of the information.