Commercial Security’s’ Effect on Security of Kenyans in Private Venues

Abstract

The strategic interplay between the Commercial security industry and security is complex. The realists view the provision of security as a fundamental obligation of the state. But to the liberalists, the pursuance of security can be achieved with the involvement of other actors offering the same. The question of whether the growing recognition of commercial security industry has marked an important shift in the norm of the state monopoly on violence in Africa needs answers. Despite this development, few studies have evaluated the effect of commercial security on security in Private Venues. Using Situational crime prevention theory, this study sort to demonstrate the effect of commercial security on security of Kenyans in Private Venues. The study adopted a cross sectional survey design, and was carried out in Nairobi with the target population of the adult residents in Nairobi. Customers and management of the commercial security industry were purposively sampled, whereas the general public and the security guards were systematically sampled. Questionnaire, interviews and structured observation were used to collect data. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. While quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics like percentages, average and mean, and pie charts. There is an accepted positive effect on security of Kenyans in private functions and venues where commercial security present. But efficiency would be achieved if, the commercial security personnel provide indiscriminate security responses where there is a breach. Grey area needing legal backing were identified as: arming of the commercial security personnel, proper uniforms and kitting, and training and skills. It is expected that the findings of this study will be of great significance to the commercial security industry stakeholders in their quest to provide security to their customers. The findings will also be used to inform policy and practice that can beneficial to national security in Kenya. It is also hoped to stimulate the academic community and the government of Kenya towards more research in the field, and for the formulation of policies that will improve the general security of the citizens.

The Establishment and Regulation of the Commercial Security Industry in Kenya and its Constitutionality

“…Second, CSFs operate outside the framework of the law. They are taking a precede from Tanzania where judge Mwalusanya in determining the constitutionality of 'traditional army' (sung), held them unconstitutional for operating in a vacuum 8 . Therefore, applying judge Mwalusanya's formulation on commercial bodies that function outside of the legal structure, CSFs come to be unconstitutional as they lack the statutory basis upon which to operate.…”

“…From the perspective of the above argument, the Act of the Kenya government to permit CSFs to be in business violates the legitimate right to security of citizens and property and therefore amounts to the unlawful allocation of public powers to commercial actors. Accordingly, commercial security is the foremost frontier of safeguarding for the citizen and needs to be well regulated [8].…”

Use of the SWOT Analysis in the Field of National Security Planning

“…Defense planning is an integral part of the system of state strategic planning, carried out to ensure the defense opportunities of the state by determining the priorities and directions of defense forces development, their opportunities, armaments and military equipment, infrastructure, training of troops (forces), and the formulation of relevant concepts, programs and plans taking into account the real potential threats in the military sphere as well as the financial and economic opportunities of the state. The initial stage of planning the operational and service activities of the SBGSU is a survey of its opportunities (survey of its state) [9,10]. The objective of the SBGSU opportunities survey is to determine (specify) the lists of available and required opportunities, to form a list of critical opportunities for further development (specification, amendments to) the Unified List (Catalogue) of the Defense Forces opportunities (hereinafter referred to asthe Defense Forces Opportunities Catalogue) and Functional Opportunities Groups determining the division of responsibilities for their maintenance and development planning [11].…”

Evaluating the Effects of Commercialized Security on National Security in Nairobi County, Kenya

“…Mutonyi and Sirera in their study on commercial security's effect on security showed that there was an accepted positive effect on the security of Kenyans in private functions and venues where commercial security was present [38]. They also pointed out grey areas that needed legal backing so that efficiency would be achieved [38].…”