The Role of Vigilante Groups in the Management of Security in Urban Centres:a Case Study of Sungusungu in Suneka Township, Kisii County

Abstract

This research investigates the role of vigilante groups in the management of security to urban centres: a case study of sungusungu in suneka township, Kisii County. The study answers the following research questions; why are some members of the community in Suneka Township motivated to join Sungusungu vigilante group? Why has Sungusungu vigilante group thrived over the years? And finally, how has the Sungusungu vigilante group’s activities affected the security of residents of Suneka Township? The Marxist Theory of Conflict and the Social Institutionalism theory are applied in this study. These theories have been used to give explanations on why the Sungusungu among other vigilante groups are created? And why they continue to operate in the watch of formal security organs of the state. The research targeted the residents of Suneka Township (Judgmental sampling method was used to pick a sample size of 110 respondents), where the members or former members of Sungusungu, the local chief and his assistant and the police officers utilized as key informants. The study utilised Questionnaires collect data which was analyzed by the aid of content analysis method and the use of Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). After interpretation the study established that crime was the most prominent factor that motivated individuals to join the Sungusungu vigilante group. On the question why the group thrived? The study established that the residents of Suneka had supported the operations of the Sungusungu. Finally on the effect of Sungusungu operations, the study established that through its operations the security of the area had improved although some section of the population was not comfortable with it.