Assessing the Factors That Influence Preparedness of Intelligence Led Undercover Operators in the Fight Against Emerging Crimes in Kenya. A Case of the Directorate of Criminal Investigation Headquarter, Nairobi County

Abstract

Studies show that advancement of global technology has seen the emergence of more criminal activities. In Kenya, there is a surge in criminal activities including terrorism, human/drug trafficking and cybercrime most of which are organized and executed virtually. Most of these emerging crimes have always resulted in economic sabotage where key government departments are unable to effectively operate. The study assessed the factors that influence preparedness of intelligence led undercover operators in the fight against emerging crime in Kenya, a case of the Directorate of Criminal Investigation Headquarters, Nairobi County. The specific objectives were: evaluate the characteristics of intelligence led undercover operators in the fight against emerging crime in Kenya, establish the appropriateness of the capacity building of intelligence led undercover operators in the fight against emerging crime in Kenya and to determine the challenges facing intelligence led undercover operators in the fight against emerging crime in Kenya. This study was informed by situational crime prevention theory and crime pattern theory and targeted a population of 300 officers from different departments of the DCI headquarter. The study adopted stratified, systematic random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. The sample size of the study was 75 computed using Yamane’s Formula. The researcher employed both primary and secondary data for the study in where the primary data was collected from first-hand information from the research respondents. Collection and gathering of data were done through interviews and use of questionnaires. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative techniques to analyze data which was presented through tables and percentages. The findings of the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between the characteristics of intelligence led undercover operations and its effective use in the fight against emerging crime in Kenya. This is projected over 74% of the respondents agreeing to the relationship. On the capacity building courses, it was evident that the DCI has capacity building course, most of which are intelligence related courses. Significant number of respondents (42.3%) further confirmed that capacity building training courses are key to enhancing implementation of intelligence led undercover operation in the fight against emerging crimes. Finally on the challenges, it was evident that implementation of intelligence led undercover operation in the fight against emerging crime has a myriad of challenges with bribing by criminal gang at (61%), preferential treatment of high ranking at (42%) , preferential deployment of officers at (58%) and lastly corruption at 46%. From the study findings, the researcher concluded that characteristics of intelligence led undercover operators, appropriateness of capacity building and challenges of intelligence operators all have a positive influence on the fight against emerging crimes in Kenya. The researcher recommended for further studies to be carried out with the same variables in different geographical locations to check replicability of the findings or with different variables