Effects of Community Policing in Addressing Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Kenya: a Case Study of Kibera Slum in Nairobi

Abstract

This study examined the effects of community policing in addressing sexual and gender based violence in Kenya. It takes a case study approach, focusing on Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya. The problem of the prevalence of sexual and gender based violence in Kenya was explored. While aspects of policing such as community policing have been introduced into the criminal justice system in Kenya, the effectiveness of such strategies to address sexual and gender based violence remains unadressed. The study sought to determine the relationship between community policing and sexual and gender based violence in Kibera, to explain the effects of community policing on occurrences of sexual and gender based violence in Kibera, to outline the challenges facing community policing in addressing sexual and gender based violence in Kibera, and to establish some tangible measures to improve community policing to better address sexual and gender based violence in Kibera. The research was descriptive in design. It explored the opinions of residents of Kibera on the effects of community policing on sexual and gender based violence. The proposal for the study indicated that it was intended to involve 100 respondents from the community in Kibera. A total number of 97 questionnaires were validly completed. This represents a 97% response rate. The study employed targeted random sampling to select the respondents to participate. Randomization was ensured by distributing the questionnairs to random respondents in the targeted villages in Kibera. The study found that while community policing contributes to addressing sexual and gender based violence, in practice, and in the context of Kibera, there is limited evidence of its application.