The Impact of Deployment of National Police Reservists on the Overall Security Incidents in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya

Abstract

The use of police reservists has been recognized as a key strategy in enhancing security, especially in conflict-prone regions like Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. Their unique advantage lies in their proximity to the local community, quick response capabilities, and familiarity with both the terrain and the people they serve. These traits, combined with their role in community policing, have proven vital in addressing resource-based conflicts and cattle rustling. Despite challenges such as limited personnel and the presence of firearms, reservists have significantly contributed to reducing violence and fostering better relations between law enforcement and local communities. The data used in this paper was part of a study that examined the relationship between the deployment of National Police Reservists and security incidents in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. Through a cross-sectional survey, data was collected from community members through a questionnaire (n = 362), interviews (the County Commander, Subcounty Commanders, Officer Commanding Police Stations and administrative Chiefs; n = 7) and FGDs (n = 7 police reservists). The Friedman Test was conducted to evaluate whether the deployment of NPRs led to reduction in the frequency of security incidents. Qualitative data, was analysed thematically. The study established that the deployment of National Police Reservists (NPRs) had a significant impact on crime reduction (χ²(4) = 11.800, p = .019). The community considered the police reservists as effective in maintaining peace and security, with residents reporting increased safety and expressing strong trust in their abilities. There was a high level of trust in the reservists' ability to protect the community. The potential challenges in the deployment of National Police Reservists include logistical constraints, inadequate communication infrastructure, limited training and resource shortages. The study recommends the continued deployment of NPRs while monitoring and evaluating their impact regularly. In addition, there is need to build on the strong community trust in NPRs by enhancing community engagement and communication. There is need to invest to increase resource allocation to the NPRs as well as address the logistical constraints faced by reservists.