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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 9, No. 10
Publication Date: October 25, 2022
DOI:10.14738/assrj.910.13267. Ringera, E. K., Kaguta, J., & Sang, A. (2022). Influence of Preventive Mechanisms on Counter Terrorism Measures in Garissa
University in Kenya. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 9(10). 163-175.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Influence of Preventive Mechanisms on Counter Terrorism
Measures in Garissa University in Kenya
Esther Kinanu Ringera
Institute of Criminology, Forensics and Security Studies
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology
Joyce Kaguta
Institute of Criminology, Forensics and Security Studies
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology
Anne Sang
School of Business and Economics
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology
ABSTRACT
This paper was derived from a study that was carried out in Garissa University in
Kenya. Counter Terrorism Measures are the world’s most effective actions of
dealing with the threatening effects and consequences of terrorism. Having
appropriate preventive mechanisms is a contribution by the government and
security planners to ensure the nation and the universities are secure for learning
to progress without any disruptions. The specific objectives of this study were to
evaluate the influence of preparedness, assess the influence of preventive
mechanisms, analyze the influence of challenges and establish the influence of the
role of stakeholders in Counter Terrorism Measures in Garissa University in Kenya.
Rational choice theory and descriptive research design was employed, targeted 105
students and staff. Data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire,
analyzed using (SPSS) version 22.Results revealed that preparedness, preventive
mechanism, challenges, and role of stakeholders had a statistically positive
influence on CT measures in Garissa University in Kenya. These accounted to 49.7%
of the variations in counter terrorism measures in Garissa University, this indicates
that other factors not studied contributes to the other 50.3%.The study
recommends more resources for counter terrorism measures, improvement on
intelligence sharing, provision of modern communication systems and the
University to collaborate more with other agencies to ensure laws are developed to
help in monitoring of internet The study has contributed to theory building; informs
the policy makers , on the importance continuous improvement Counter Terrorism
Measures.
Key words: Preventive Mechanisms, Terrorism, Counter Terrorism Measures. Soft
Targets, University
INTRODUCTION
Understanding terrorism and its definition is necessary this helps in employing the appropriate
counterterrorism measures. Counterterrorism measures are explained as strategies or efforts
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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol. 9, Issue 10, October-2022
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
by the national security, the public and the learning institutions in preventing and deterring the
effects and consequences of terrorist’s threat [1]. Many organizations have in-place preventive
mechanisms, that prevent intruders from accessing and offending in their premises; however,
the increase in terrorism threats, has forced different institutions and government to commit
more resources and efforts to ensure their organizations are protected.
This paper is an evaluation of the influence of preventive mechanisms on counter terrorism,
these measures are aimed at pursuing, preventing, protecting, responding to terror action, that
is identify and disrupting terrorist plans. These strategies must be well planned, installed or
executed and finally assessed to determine their effectiveness. Preventive mechanisms like well
processed intelligence, biometrics, scanners, protective systems, and lightings metal detectors
must be measured to determine their ability and potential in accurately detecting threats. These
measures are aimed at protecting critical infrastructure and valuable assets. They also prevent
vulnerable groups especially the youths from being radicalized and also help in identifying
behavior change that can lead to terror acts.
For example, the government of Kenya and the national security requires that organizations
and institutions install preventive and protective measures that will effectively protect, reduce
disruption of services and casualties in case of a successful attack. These include the learning
institutions, which are tasked to put in place, counter terrorism measures which complies with
the standards and guidelines of Ministry of Education on safety and security. The Ministry of
Education expects Universities to establish police posts in their institution, special patrol
vehicles for response, biometric identification gadget, CCTV cameras and security and safety
policies among others [2]. Safety and security of the learning institutions can be achieved
through well-developed criminal detections system, investigations, crime prevention
procedures, intelligence gathering, community and police collaboration and effectively
administering justice.
Preventive mechanisms mostly cover defensive measures that are made available by the
institution, which are seen as complements, whereas, proactive measures are substitutes that
are mainly offered by other security agencies [3]. Security of the nation and the learning
institution is crucial and can be effectively achieved by ensuring there are defensive actions in
place that makes it difficult and expensive for terrorist to attack successfully. Counter terrorism
measures employed by the institutions reduce loss of property and lives in case of a successful
attack [3]. The challenge of terrorism has forced institutions and the nation to employ
appropriate defensive and offensive measures that are inexpensive, effective and beneficial to
all stakeholders. [1].
Adoption of preventive mechanisms such as biometric identification is central in security and
in investigations. Since the terror attack of September 11, 2001, different strategies have been
employed in crime prevention, these include biometrics that have been used successfully in
identification and verification at different organizations and learning institutions to prevent
terrorist aggression [4]. Since terrorist can attack; anything, anywhere, and at any time the
security agencies and learning institutions must assess their counter terrorism measures to be
certain that they can effectively prevent and reduce the effects and consequences in case of a
threat action.
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Ringera, E. K., Kaguta, J., & Sang, A. (2022). Influence of Preventive Mechanisms on Counter Terrorism Measures in Garissa University in Kenya.
Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 9(10). 163-175.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.910.13267
It is important to note that learning institutions are public areas that need to be accessed by all,
but due to the challenges of terrorism threat, that access has been limited. Having effective
measures and system ensures that, criminals are denied access to these areas, in order to
protect the occupants from becoming victims of terror attacks. Learning institutions should not
live in denial they must accept the fact that terror threats are real. And absence of these
strategies creates an opportunity for terrorist and other criminals accessing learning
institution.
Purpose: To assess the influence of preventive mechanisms in counter-terrorism measures in
Garissa University in Kenya
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Terrorism is a global phenomenon, a problem that is increasingly spreading. The changing
methods of operation by terrorists has made it necessary for institutions to ensure that they
have Counter-Terrorism Measures which can effectively deal with the threatening effects and
consequences of terrorism. Issues of terrorism have become so complex and challenging to the
national security, law enforcement, learning institutions and other individuals that are charged
with security. Terrorist activities require effective counter terrorism strategies to deal with
them effectively.
The Garissa University College attack in 2015, created a necessity to implement effective
measures to avoid the damage, effects and consequences that were experienced. The delays
that were experienced in response to this particular attack, demonstrated some gaps, that the
counter terrorism measures in the university were either inadequate, weak or that they were
absent and there was poor collaboration with the community and other agencies. Following
these attacks, the Government of Kenya and the Ministry of Education, have made
recommendations to the universities. That they should have a workable security policy and
follow safety and security guidelines and standards in implementing counter terrorism
measures. This evaluation was based on the security policies, safety and security guidelines as
per the Ministry of Education. The evaluation has helped the researcher to know whether the
measures available are effective and yielding the desired results at Garissa University. The
study considered the preparedness, preventive mechanisms, challenges and the role of
stakeholders in counter terrorism measures in Garissa University in Kenya.
Most of the researchers have largely focused on nations outside Kenya. The gap in this research
was that, there had been no evaluation on the counter terrorism measures in Garissa University
in Kenya. This study therefore provided the true and most accurate state of counter terrorism
measures in the university. The evaluation was important because it was aimed at helping the
learning institutions to take precautions and avoid circumstances where they react after an
incident and also to minimize the effects and consequences in case of a successful attack.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1. To evaluate the influence of preparedness in counter-terrorism measures in Garissa
University in Kenya
2. To assess the influence of preventive mechanisms in counter-terrorism measures in
Garissa University in Kenya