Occupational stress among Kenyan police: a case study of police officers in Nairobi Province

Abstract

The study focused on the problem of occupational stress among Kenyan police officers. Using the case of six police stations from Nairobi area, respondents were interviewed to answer the overall research questions on the individual, operational and organizational factors that lead to occupational stress among police officers in Nairobi. The study was bolted on one general objective which aimed at exploring the problem of occupational stress among police in Kenya. More specifically, the study attempted to establish the extent of occupational stress among Kenyan police, find out how the problem of occupational stress affects performance of the police in Kenya and identify viable measures that can help the Kenyan Police cope with the problem of occupational stress. This study is guided by two theories namely: psychoanalytic and rational emotive behavioural theory. The study adopted simple random and stratified sampling techniques to draw a sample of 90 respondents. Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained from the respondents using semistructured study questionnaires and unstructured key informant interview guides. Percentage, frequencies and measures of central tendency were used to analyze quantitative while qualitative data were processed using content and interpretive analysis. The generated data were used to answer the study's three questions which established the extent of the problem of occupational stress among Kenyan police, its effects on pol ice performance and viable strategic measures that can be used to help officers cope with the problem. The survey findings confirmed that Kenyan police are stressed and highlighted the existence, symptoms and causes of occupational stress among officers. Both operational and organizational sources of stress were prevalent. Further, the findings revealed that perception of presence or absence of occupational stress among the police is dependent on the age, length of service, rank and category of the officer. Both male and female police officers highly perceived prevalence of occupational stressors. The study also established that low morale/motivation led to lowered job satisfaction and hence reduced productivity. Both negative and positive coping strategies were identified and the viable ones were commended. Based on the study's findings, several recommendations were made. There is need to improve the living and working conditions especially housing, transport and supplies, increase personnel numbers, offer training in stress and anger management as well as basic counselling skills and professional ethics. Areas for further research include: establishing how the Kenyan justice system affects police performance, role of Psychological counselling in policing and a national assessment of occupational stress in the police.