The strategic interplay between the Commercial security industry and security is complex. The realists view the provision of security as a fundamental obligation of the state. But to the liberalists, the pursuance of security can be achieved with the involvement of other actors offering the same. The question of whether the growing recognition of commercial security industry has marked an important shift in the norm of the state monopoly on violence in Africa needs answers. Despite this development, few studies have evaluated the effect of commercial security on security in Private Venues. Using Situational crime prevention theory, this study sort to demonstrate the effect of commercial security on security of Kenyans in Private Venues. The study adopted a cross sectional survey design, and was carried out in Nairobi with the target population of the adult residents in Nairobi. Customers and management of the commercial security industry were purposively sampled, whereas the general public and the security guards were systematically sampled. Questionnaire, interviews and structured observation were used to collect data. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. While quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics like percentages, average and mean, and pie charts. There is an accepted positive effect on security of Kenyans in private functions and venues where commercial security present. But efficiency would be achieved if, the commercial security personnel provide indiscriminate security responses where there is a breach. Grey area needing legal backing were identified as: arming of the commercial security personnel, proper uniforms and kitting, and training and skills. It is expected that the findings of this study will be of great significance to the commercial security industry stakeholders in their quest to provide security to their customers. The findings will also be used to inform policy and practice that can beneficial to national security in Kenya. It is also hoped to stimulate the academic community and the government of Kenya towards more research in the field, and for the formulation of policies that will improve the general security of the citizens.
The growth and expansion of commercialized security markets are as a result of deficiencies in the ability of nations to effectively deliver security-related services. Therefore, a range of players is explicitly looked upon to supplement the supply of security services. Perhaps, the most important of these players are the commercial security firms, which have developed and grown expansively. These firms provide some aspect of security/policing services to their fee-paying consumers aimed at protecting the people and their physical assets, as opposed to public security which is a public good. The commercialized security industry has grown and expanded in Nairobi, Kenya, and offers a range of security services. Despite this development, few studies have examined the effects of these services on national security in Nairobi, Kenya. Using the Security Governance theory and Network Analysis theory, this study sought to understand the subject matter.The study took on a cross-sectional survey design and was carried out in Nairobi with the adult residents as the target population. A multistage sampling technique was employed to obtain the wards to be studied, whereas those who purchase or manage commercial security services for their organizations and management of the commercial security firms were purposively sampled, the general public and the security guards were systematically sampled. Questionnaires, scheduled interviews, and structured observation were used to collect data. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 25, 2017) was used in data management and analysis. In the analysis, descriptive statistics used included percentages and frequency distribution tables. These descriptive statistics were used to summarize variables into thematic areas and to convey the characteristics of key variables. Inferential statistics used was Multiple Regression analysis to establish relationships, provide predictions, and in concluding.The results demonstrated that the study identified five effects with each having a unique variance on national security: Visible presence that discourages criminal activities (B = .372, β = .383, P=.001), detection of criminal and harmful activities by the electronic devices (B=.250, β = .257, P = .001), intervention in stopping crime and harm (B = .213, β=.194, P = .001), intelligence on criminal activities through surveillance (B = .176, β= .159, P = .001) and creating a culture of security and crime awareness (B = .086, β = .076, P = .024). Together, both were significant predictors of national security F(5,368) = 111.42, p ˂ .001, R 2 = .231.The study concluded that the effects of commercialized security on national security bring to fore the huge responsibility the industry is endowed with. Consequently, there should be favorable mechanisms in the country that can oversee the continuous development of the industry. The favorable mechanisms can only be realized through the consultation of the stakeholders: the commercial security industry, the citizens, and the state. Thus the...
There has been a tremendous shift of interest the way war was fought before the cold war and after 1991. This paper refers to the former as old wars and the latter as new wars. It, therefore, has examined some old wars, which were waged for geopolitical concerns and ideologies. New wars have also been examined to illustrate that they are far from fitting the description of old wars. Hence the conclusion determines that the new wars are sources of the market for new weapons, and lacking the ingredient of the old wars: ideologies and nationalism. In some cases, the new wars are using the rhetorics of ethnic, religious, or tribal identities. But in the real sense, the new wars are entrepreneurial innovations skills of the weapons industry. They are willing to tolerate the risk of wars as long as there is a significant chance for income. Hence, in the long run, the war in itself does not result in peace, but immense profits and securing of resources for the dominant elite few.
The state has traditionally undertaken maintenance of security and good order for the citizens. But due to the deficiencies in governments, other actors have been looked upon to supplement the supply of security services. The commercial security industry, which has developed and grown expansively, is one. The sector provides policing services to their subscribed consumers. Despite the commercialised security industry growing in Nairobi, Kenya, few studies have assessed the limitations of commercialised security to impact national security on national security positively. The study took on a cross-sectional survey design. A multistage sampling technique was employed to obtain the respondents. Questionnaires, scheduled interviews and structured observation were used to collect data. These descriptive statistics were used to summarise variables into thematic areas and convey key variables' characteristics. The study identified six limitations: not being armed with firearms was the most mentioned, poor working conditions of guards was second mentioned, lack of courtesy by guards was the third most mentioned, lack of trust by the state security agencies was the fourth, and last was, lack of regulation and licensing. The study concluded that the limitations of commercialised security on national security bring the hurdles the industry faces to the fore. Consequently, the country should have favourable mechanisms to oversee the industry's continuous reevaluation. The suitable means can only be realised through the stakeholders' consultation: the commercial security industry, the citizens and the state. Thus, the study recommended that the Private Security Regulation Authority start implementing some of the requirements in the PSRA No. 13 of 2016.It meant to streamline the industry in terms of the training of the security guards, remunerations of the security guards, minimum requirements for recruitment and working environments.
The complexity of the contemporary world has dictated the commercial security to supplement the supply of security in states. This is for the varied security needs of the citizens to be fulfilled. Hence this study embarked to illustrate the various roles of commercialized security in the national security of selected countries: the USA,
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