The role of mentorship programs on work performance among police officers in Kenya: A case study of Makadara Sub-County, Nairobi

Abstract

The objective of the study was to assess the role of mentorship programs on work performance among police officers. It explored the approaches and practices, management including strategies aimed at improving mentorship within Makadara Sub-County in Nairobi, Kenya. Mentorship is about an association between a mature and experienced mentor and a younger, less experienced protégé to create an interdependent and generative development relationship that promotes mutual growth, learning, and development within a career. The study adopted a quantitative and qualitative approach with a target population of 380 officers working within this command and a sample size of 63 respondents was randomly picked. The data collection methods employed was; interviews and the use of questionnaires for primary data while secondary data was by desk review. Besides, the theoretical framework consisted of the following three theories: Social learning theory, adult learning theory, and Reinforcement theory. The study revealed; on approaches and practices, there were inadequate communication mechanisms necessary for sharing information amongst officers and a lack of adequate knowledge on mentorship. On mentorship management, the study revealed that there was no mentorship session carried out in the preceding two years and that officers were rarely involved in the development of the mentorship plans. In addition, regarding strategies to improve mentorship the following suggestions were put forth: enhancing the capacity of mentors, participatory approach, improving communication mechanisms, emphasis on psychosocial mentorship and the use of technology as desired efforts. Bandura (1977) in social learning theory asserted that communication helps create a healthy psychological and ecological situation. Thus the absence of better communication mechanism including inadequate knowledge affects the overall aspect of mentorship within the command. The failure of regular mentorship especially psycho-social wellbeing was found to reduce the resilience ability of officers. Skinner, as cited by Yazdanifard (2014) in reinforcement theory argues that the psycho-social hypothesis depends on mental and neuroscience points of view of creature conduct. Thus, psychological wellness reinforces officer’s capability on resilience to traumatic and stressful encounters while on duty. In the absence of a participatory approach in developing mentorship plans, Malcolm Knowles as cited by Bash (2003) argues that police mentoring is a form of Adult learning which is learnerbased since they are adults. Thus, they are self-directing and eager to show that they can take control of the learning process and thus their participation or involvement in developing the mentorship plans is critical. Therefore, better communication, reinforcing resilience and encouraging participation in developing mentorship plans are critical to successful mentorship programs in police and leads to better work performance.