CHALLENGES FACED BY ANTI-TERRORISM POLICE UNIT IN FIGHTING TERRORISM. A CASE STUDY OF NAIROBI COUNTY KENYA

Abstract

This study sought to establish the challenges faced by anti-terrorism police unit in fighting terrorism in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study has been motivated by increased public perceptions of anti-terror police ineffectiveness in the midst of rising terror related activities in Nairobi County, Kenya. Guided by this broad objective, the study examined the legal challenges faced by the Kenya anti-terrorism police unit in fighting terrorism in Nairobi County, established the technological challenges faced by an anti-terrorism police unit and examined the effect of corruption on war against terror within the Kenya anti-terrorism police unit in Nairobi County. The study was grounded by the Deterrence Theory and adopted a case study qualitative design. The main method of data collection was Interview and key informant interviews were the methods of data collection. The study utilized purposive sampling technique to withdraw a sample of 80 respondents. Thematic data analysis technique was used to analyze data. Data was transcribed and the transcriptions coded using NVIVO software. Two major legal challenges identified were related to both Kenya constitution and domestic and International Human Right laws. The study found that the war on terror is shrouded in ambiguities in interpreting the law on what terrorism is, biases in dealing with terror suspects and confusion on what international partners want. Further, constitutional rights and freedoms emerged as major challenge that hampered police operations and action. Further established technological skilled challenges faced by anti-terrorism police unit in Nairobi County include capacity to crack: Incitement Platforms, Terrorist Financing platforms and Websites used as online stores. Further, there is technological skill gap to enable them crack; encrypted, compressed and password-protected and anonymized terrorist materials, including documents and videos, which are then uploaded and circulated via the internet encryption software of terrorist Secrets” to facilitate covert internet communications. been planned. From there prison authorities may also be bribed to aid escape. The study recommended that Kenya's constitution and domestic and International Human Rights laws should be reviewed about the full rights and freedoms of accused and victims of terror-related crimes about the supreme rights and that anti-terror police officers should be trained to overcome this technological challenge if the government wants to be potent enough to insulate its citizens against any terrorist threats.