Effect of Emergency Preparedness on Security in Kenyan Universities: A Case Study of Garissa University

Abstract

Security emergencies and threats have lately been on the increase, with public universities in Kenya reporting many incidents of insecurity. Despite investigation efforts by university management, the high prevalence of insecurity has continued, pointing to the need to determine the relationship between security emergency preparedness and security management in public universities in Kenya. This paper explores the existing types of emergency situations, the existing types of emergency response approaches, and the level of institutional emergency preparedness and their influence on security at Garissa University. Utilizing the emergency Management Theory, the paper points out that the common type of emergency situation in the study institution is terror-related attacks. Training is the common emergency situation response strategy that the university is utilizing in readiness to face emergency situations, and strict checking at the gate is the most common plan that the university has used to deal with emergency situations within its compound and emergency planning in the study institution has enhanced security through control of movement. The study recommends that the university invest in modern and advanced information technology infrastructure and systems to avert incidences of insecurity.