Correlates of quality of training of private security guards and crime prevention in Nairobi County, Kenya

Crime rates in Kenya, particularly in Nairobi, have been steadily rising, surpassing those in other cities. To combat this, private security personnel have been hired to protect both private and public areas, yet crime continues to increase in Nairobi County. While the National Police Service offers rigorous training at the Kenya Police Training College, private security agencies often lack well-equipped facilities, leading to inconsistent training quality. The impact of these training variations on crime prevention remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between training quality and crime prevention among private security providers in Nairobi County. The primary objective was to assess how the training programs of private security guards relate to crime prevention in the area. The target population included 2,817 security officers and instructors from 55 licensed private security firms, along with employees from regulatory bodies and associations. A sample of 350 respondents were surveyed, consisting of 283 security officers, 55 instructors, and 12 key informants from the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA), Private Security Industry Association (PSIA), and Kenya Security Industry Association (KSIA). Instructors and regulatory employees were purposively selected, while security officers were chosen through random sampling. The study employed a correlational research design, combining quantitative analysis of crime data with qualitative insights from questionnaires and interviews. Data was analysed using SPSS version 25.0, with results presented as frequencies, percentages, and correlations. The analysis revealed no significant relationship between training programs and crime prevention in Nairobi County. The study recommends that stakeholders, including policymakers, develop effective strategies to enhance crime prevention through improved guard training, while also addressing underlying social and environmental factors.