Intelligence-led policing and drug-trafficking prevention in Kenya

Abstract

This studyendeavored to gain an understanding of the extent of the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing in the prevention of drug-trafficking in Nyeri County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were:to find out how effective intelligence-led policing is in the prevention of drug-trafficking in Nyeri County; to find out the challenges that affect intelligence-led policing and drug trafficking prevention and lastly, to make suggestions on possible strategies and way forward. The study is qualitative in nature. The respondents comprised of police detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews and mixed questionnaires while secondary data was collected through review of relevant content. The data was then analyzed by coding and presented by use of narratives, pie-charts and tables. The results show that whereas intelligence-led policing is more effective in the prevention of drug-traffickinginto or through the county from other parts of the country, it is less effective in preventing drug trafficking from within the county. Additionally, the study established that there are various challenges that affect drug-trafficking prevention. Among them is the presence of an international highway traversing the county and limited police capacity to effectively curtail drug-trafficking. Finally, the study established that police commanders at various levels canadopt various strategies that would address these challenges. Accordingly, the implication of the findings is that the police strategic commanders at all levels should be aware of these dynamics and take remedial measures to ensure smoother and more effective intelligence-led policing which will ultimately lead to prevention or reduction of crimes such as drug trafficking. The study also enriches academic and professional knowledgein the fields of intelligence-led policing and drug-trafficking.