EFFECTS OF CRIMINAL GANGS ON THE SECURITY OF THE NAKURU

RESIDENTS: CASE STUDY OF KAPTEMBWO WITHIN NAKURU

MASSC/2023/61959

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE

REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER DEGREE IN CRIMINOLOGY AND

SECURITY STUDIES OF

MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY

MARCH 2024
 DECLARATION
This proposal is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other
University or for any other award.

Name: STANLEY CHEGE NJOROGE

Reg No: MASSC/2023/61959

Signature……………………………………… Date………………………………………..
 RECOMMENDATION
I confirm that the work reported in this project was carried out by the candidate under my
supervision.

Dr………………………….

Signature………………………………………
Date…………………………………………..
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am grateful to the Almighty God for sustaining me throughout the course of my studies and for
enabling me go this far. Secondly, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to my
supervisor, Dr...., for his invaluable support and unwavering encouragement. This research
project would have been very difficult without him. I wish to convey my appreciation to my wife
Ruth Wambui for her continuous support and encouragement throughout my education; without
her, I would have given up long ago. My young kids, for sacrificing enough so that I could pay
for my education. Joe, Hailey, and Hiedie thanks for bearing with me. I also want to thank my
mother and my siblings for supporting me throughout the difficult times and for never giving up
on me. Thanks to my colleagues Meshack, Mary and Obadiah for your contribution towards
producing a quality proposal. Madam Dorcas Mungai and my coordinator Dr. Ruth Nyambura
for your support throughout my proposal. God bless.
DECLARATION………………………………………………………………………...i

DEDICATION………………………………………………………………………...…ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………………….….iii

ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………………iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………………………………………..v

LIST OF FIGURES……………………………………………………………………….vi

LIST OF ABBREVIATION AND ACRONYMS………………………………………..vii

TABLES FIGURES PLATES…………………………………………………………….viii

REFRENCES……………………………………………………………………………….ix

APPENDICES………………………………………………………………………………x
CHAPTER ONE…………………………………………………………………
1.0 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................
1.1 Background to the study.........................................................................................
1.2 Statement of the problem.........................................................................................
1.3 Purpose of the study.........................................................................................
1.4 Objectives of the study.........................................................................................
1.5 Research questions or hypotheses.................................................................................
1.6 Significance/Rationale/Justification of the study.....................................................
1.7 Scope of the study.........................................................................................
1.8 Study limitations.........................................................................................
1.9 Delimitations.........................................................................................
1.10 Assumptions of the study...............................................................................
1.11 Operational definition of key terms- explaining how certain terms have been used in a
special way in the context of the research proposal

CHAPTER TWO……………………………………….…………………………
2.0 Literature Review………………………………………................................................
2.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................
2.2 Empirical literature (literature should clearly identify the research gap)….. ...................
2.3 Theoretical literature/Theoretical framework..............................................................
2.4 Conceptual framework.............................................................................................
2.5 Recap of literature review..........................................................................................

CHAPTER THREE…………………………………………………………………
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................
3.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................
3.2 Research methodology...............................................................................................
3.3 Research design (Discuss the Variables)…………………………………………………..
3.4 Location of the study....................................................................................................
3.5 Target population........................................................................................................
3.6 Sampling procedures and techniques...........................................................................
3.7 Sample population....................................................................................................
3.8 Construction of research instruments...........................................................................
3.9 Testing for validity and reliability/trustworthiness.......................................................
3.10 Data collection methods and procedures....................................................................
3.11 Proposed data analysis techniques and procedures....................................................
3.12 Ethical considerations....................................................................................................
LIST OF ABBREVIATION
AU- Africa Union
CID-Criminal Investigation Department
FATF-Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundry
FBI-Federal Bureau of Investigation
FGD-Focus Group Discussion
KHRC-Kenya Human Right Commission.
KNYISS-Kenya National Youth Alliance, Institute of Security Studies
PSC- Peace and Security Council
UN- United Nation
UNODC- United Nation on Drug and Crime
NCRC – National Crime Research Center
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to investigate how criminal gangs affects the life of Kaptembwo
residents. The specific goals of this study are to establish factors that influence young people
The goal of this study is to look into how criminal gangs affect Kaptembwo inhabitants' daily
lives. The specific goals of this study are to identify the factors that influence young people to
join criminal gangs, determine the impact of these gangs on the day-to-day lives of Kaptembwo
residents, ascertain the methods used by gangs to attract and retain members, identify the
sources of funding for the gangs' operations, and characterize the nature and traits of these
criminal gangs. The descriptive survey method will be the research strategy employed in this
study. It will entail triangulation, in which the validity of the quantitative and qualitative data to
be collected will be assessed by evaluating the drawbacks and advantages of each approach.
Adult family members are the target demographic (both male and female). They will include
victims who have been impacted by these gangs both directly and indirectly. Government
representatives, businesspeople, and members of civil society will also be responding. The data
will be analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The study will provide
information on how the gangs influence the residents of Kaptembwo as they go about their daily
lives and the part the police play in combating criminal gangs.
 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Crime is not only prevalent in most civilizations belonging to a specific class, but it is present in
all societies worldwide. There is no civilization where dealing with crime is not a significant
issue. It creates variations; the behaviors so described are not universal and constant; some
people have acted in a way that has led to them being subjected to criminal repression. Edward
(1970).

Research studies conducted across the world shows that United States gangs have been the main
focus. Gangs comprising of young people may have first developed in Europe according to
(Klein, 1996) or Mexico (Redfield, 1941; Rubel, 1965). There is no clear information about the
period and the reason they began in the United States. According to the earliest record gangs
appearance in the United States may have been as early as 1783, after the end of American
revolution according to (Sante, 1991; Sheldon, 1898). Gangs may have arose spontaneously from
adolescent play groups or as a collective response to urban conditions in the United States of
America. (Thrasher, 1927). It is believed that gangs first emerged following the migration in
Mexico to the Southwest after the Mexican Revolution in 1813 (Redfield, 1941; Rubel, 1965).
Mexican young people in Southwest experienced challenges with social and cultural adjustments
to the American way of life leading to an impact in their way of life. (Moore, 1978; Vigil, 1988).

In 1800’s during industrial revolution, gangs spread in New England gaining momentum in the
big cities in United States, that is Boston, New York and Philadelphia. (Finestone, 1976; Sante,
1991; Spergel, 1995). During Industrial era, gangs began to spread in Chicago and other large
cities following an increase in immigration and population shifts. (Finestone, 1976). Gangs in
American history are seen to appear more and became violent in early days during rapid growth
in population. There have been rapid growth of gangs in United States in four different periods
of gang growth that is the late 1800's, 1920's, 1960's, and 1990's (Curry and Decker, 1998). Gang
increase, is not a constant.
Gangs have been influenced by several trends in the current era. They became more dangerous
the period between 1970's and 1980's, since there was an increase in access to lethal weapons
and mobility. (Klein, 1995; Klein and Maxson, 1989; Miller, 1974, 1992; Spergel, 1995). Their
fights were escalated to the use of guns unlike previously when they used bare hands. The gangs
used motor vehicles to commit crime by shooting their victims on board a moving vehicle.
(Miller, 1966). The gangs in the 1980's and 1990's comprised of both younger and older
members than there was before (Miller, 1992; Spergel, 1995). This members had prison history
or they had links to prison convicts (Hagedorn, 1988; Miller, 1992; Moore, 1990; Vigil, 1988)
and used weapons which were lethal. (National Drug Intelligence Center, 1995). They were not
concerned more with territorial affiliations according to (Fagan, 1990; Klein, 1995) and they
used alcohol and drugs more extensively (Decker and Van Winkle, 1996; Fagan, 1990;
Thornberry, 1998). They involved in crime of drug trafficking (Battin et al., 1998; Fagan, 1990;
Miller, 1992; Taylor, 1989; Thornberry, 1998).

Some of the youth gangs had transformed into business organizations by selling cocaine which
had sprout in the mid-1980's (Sanchez-Jankowski, 1991; Skolnick et al., 1988; Taylor, 1989).
This however, did not explain the extent at which the gangs became drug-trafficking
organizations. (Howell and Decker, in press). Other youth groups which were not considered as
legal gangs, were not involved seriously in illegal activities and they provided social
opportunities for their membership (Fagan, 1989; Vigil, 1988). Others rarely used drugs and
alcohol and had close community bonds. (Fagan, 1989; Sanchez-Jankowski, 1991; Vigil, 1988).

In the city of Doula in Cameroon, insecurity and crime rates have recently increased among oung
people especially in informal settlements which is accompanied by difficult lifestyle. According
to ‘Feyman’ (Nwankwo 2006), the increased crimes can be attribute to white collar criminals
who get away with offence without being prosecuted and has created a major concern among the
young people.

The young people have constantly applied violence, theft, intimidation and threat in Dakar
Senegal. The increase in population in the urban areas have led to breeding of insecurity which
where people are attacked by robbers in the streets forcing them to arrange for private security.
(Nwankwo 2006).
Prof. George Saitoti, the then-minister of internal security, launched a gazette on crime
prevention in 2010. The gazette explained the laws and emphasized the need of detecting,
preventing, and punishing criminal activity in Kenya. The legislation itself imposes strict limits
on any gangs functioning in the nation, ensuring that the perpetrators are condemned to at least
14 years in prison or lifetime imprisonment if proven guilty, and fundraisers for criminal groups
are not exempt. The law imposes strong penalties for organizers and gangs, as well as individuals
who commit significant crimes, including a life sentence if convicted. According to permanent
secretary in charge of internal security Mutea Iringo, Mungiki as a sect is the most brutal gang
which has been feared in Kenya Counter-trafficking is one method for preventing gangs,
according to the Organized Crime Act (2010) and the Persons Act 2010. President Mwai Kibaki
signed the Bill, and the government created an appendix with a list of the most active gangs that
committed crimes like as robbery, extortion and terrorist acts. The government, in partnership
with leaders, is leading the effort to tackle these illicit activities.

Criminal gangs in Nakuru become more active during election campaigns because politicians
support them to pursue their political objectives. Residents of Nakuru Town have expressed
alarm about the organised criminal gangs that terrorise them. Rhonda, Kaptembwo, Kivumbini,
Mawanga, Flamingo, Lake View, Bondeni, and Pondamali are among the locations most hit by
the increase in criminal attacks both at night and in broad daylight. Residents complained that the
occurrences had become prevalent with little meaningful action taken against the perpetrators,
citing lenient bonds, bails, and penalties in court. According to reports, many youngsters from
poor, medium, and upper-class households are tempted to these lifestyles. The unemployment
rate is also high. The most well-known criminal groups in Nakuru include Confirmed, Gaza,
Watz, Mauki, Eastlando, Msafi Kwanza, the Five Figures, and Dragon.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The security of a nation's residents and enterprises is critical to its development and success.
According to studies, organized criminal gangs have victimized a substantial percentage of urban
people in both developed and developing nations (UN-Habitat, 2007).
Kenya is no exception to rising youth violence as a result of increased economic hardship and
unemployment in many cities. The most common crimes committed by youth gangs include
theft, assault, drug trafficking, mugging, and murder (UN-Habitat 2007). Poor upbringing, peer
pressure, economic hardship, political influence, and geographical location are all motivating
factors for joining criminal gangs.
Criminal gangs have increased in Nakuru West Constituency, particularly in Kaptembwo,
affecting the livelihoods of residents in the area. It has resulted in fatalities, widespread fear, and
economic consequences. Youths are the primary perpetrators in this epidemic. Some solutions to
addressing criminal gangs include the sharing of information between community members and
the government in order to raise awareness among youths about the consequences of joining
gangs. Furthermore, the government can impose penalties on members convicted of involvement
in criminal gangs.
1.3 Purpose of the study

The purpose of this study is to look into the effects of organized criminal gangs on the
livelihoods of Kaptembwo residents in Nakuru County.

1.4 Objectives of the study

The study centered on the following research objectives:

1) To identify the motivating factors that lead youth to join criminal gangs.
2) Determine the impact of organized criminal gangs on the daily lives of Kaptembwo residents.

3) Discover how criminal gangs recruit and maintain membership.

4) To investigate how organized criminal gangs generate money to fund their criminal activities.
5) Conduct a quick analysis of the tactics, command structure, and network of the top criminal
gangs in Kaptembwo.
6) Prepare and submit a report detailing findings and practical solutions to the problems posed by
organized criminal gangs in Kaptembwo.

1.5 Research Questions

1) Who are the criminal gangs

2) What are the motivating factors that lead youth to join criminal gangs?
3) What are the characteristics and modes of operation of organized criminal gangs?
4) How do organized criminal gangs recruit and retain their members?
5) How do organized criminal gangs raise money to fund their operations?
6) How do organized criminal gangs affect the lives of Kaptembwo residents?

1.6 Significance of the Study

Organized criminal gangs have terrorized and disrupted the lives of many Kaptembwo residents.
Organized crime undermines development, instills fear, and certainly negates efforts to achieve
Vision 2030. It must be understood and appropriate strategies developed to eradicate organized
crime. As a result, providing law enforcement agencies with current information will aid in crime
prevention. Indeed, organized criminal gangs pose a significant challenge to police crime
prevention efforts in Kaptembwo and throughout Kenya.
The rise in the number of organized gangs, and also the genetic mutations that result from some
of them, is enough reason for society to take action. According to Kenya Gazette Notice
No.10427 from 2016, Nakuru County is one of 90 violent organized criminal gangs operating in
Kenya's major towns and cities. As a result, this study sought to determine the causes, problems,
and solutions to this threat.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study focused on the impact of criminal gangs on the livelihoods of Kaptembwo village
residents.

1.8 Study Limitations

Time

Time has become a major challenge since there is a lot that needs to be unveiled under the short
period of time that the institution has offered.

1.9 Delimitations

Support
The institution has really supported in providing guidelines on how we should go about the
research.

Colleagues have also played part in this research by developing ideas on how to make the
research a success.

1.10 Assumptions of the study

All the assumptions to this research study is that all the respondents will be accessed easily and
will give fairly accurate information. The researcher also took into assumption that data analysis
tools and techniques will give accurate findings which will guide to positive conclusions.
Further, the researcher assumed that he will get a chance of interviewing one of the gang /
reformed gang member to give factual information about the gang activities.

1.11 Operational definition of

Key terms are:

A crime is an act or omission that constitutes an offence punishable by a court of law.
Criminal gangs are ongoing organizations, associations, or groups of three or more people whose
sole purpose is to commit crimes.
A case study is the collection and presentation of detailed information about a single participant
or small group.