Kidnappings in Kenya Report
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` NATIONAL CRIME RESEARCH CENTRE EMERGING CRIMES: THE CASE OF KIDNAPPINGS IN KENYA ` NATIONAL CRIME RESEARCH CENTRE EMERGING CRIMES: THE CASE OF KIDNAPPINGS IN KENYA COPY RIGHT Copyright© 2017 by National Crime Research Centre Nairobi; Printed in Kenya Part of this publication may be copied for use in research and education purposes provided that the source is acknowledged. This publication may not be produced for other purposes without prior permission from the National Crime Research Centre ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page COPY RIGHT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- iii LIST OF TABLES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- vi LIST OF FIGURES------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --------------------------------------------------------------------------- xi EXPLANATORY NOTES TO TERMS USED IN THE STUDY -------------------------- xii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY--------------------------------------------------------------------------- xv ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ---------------------------------------------------------- xx CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION--------------------------------------------------------------- 1 1.1 Background of the Study-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 1.1.1General context of kidnappings ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1 1.1.2 Global trends in kidnappings ------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 1.1.3 Regional trends in kidnappings --------------------------------------------------------------- 6 1.1.4 Kidnappings in Kenya--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 1.2 Problem Statement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 1.3 Objectives of the Study --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 1.3.1 General objective -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 1.3.2 Specific objectives ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 The specific objectives of the study were: --------------------------------------------------------- 11 1.4 Justification of the study ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 1.5 Assumptions of the Study ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 1.6 Scope of the Study --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 1.7 Theoretical Framework of the Study ---------------------------------------------------------- 12 1.7.1 Differential Opportunity Theory------------------------------------------------------------- 12 1.7.2 Social Control Theory -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 1.7.3 Rational Choice Theory ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15 CHAPTER TWO: STUDY METHODOLOGY------------------------------------------------- 16 2.1 Introduction----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 2.2 Research Design------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 16 2.3 Methods and Tools for Data Collection ------------------------------------------------------- 18 2.3.1 Data collection methods ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 18 2.3.2 Data collection tools ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 2.4 Data Collection and Management-------------------------------------------------------------- 19 2.5 Methods of Data Analysis ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 19 2.6 Ethical Considerations---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 CHAPTER THREE: RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS---------------------------------------- 21 3.1 Introduction----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 3.2 Socio-demographic characteristics of Respondents ---------------------------------------- 21 3.3 Prevalence and Typology of Kidnappings ---------------------------------------------------- 23 3.3.1 Perceptions of kidnapping as a major security problem-------------------------------- 23 3.3.2 Occurrence of the crime of kidnapping----------------------------------------------------- 24 3.3.2.1 Primary data ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24 iii 3.3.2.2 Secondary data --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25 3.4 Profiles of Victims and Kidnappers ------------------------------------------------------------ 34 3.4.1 Profiles of victims of kidnappings ------------------------------------------------------------ 34 3.4.1.1 Socio-economic characteristics of victims ------------------------------------------------ 34 3.4.1.2 Categories of victims of kidnappings ------------------------------------------------------ 37 3.4.2 Profiles of kidnappers -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39 3.4.2.1 Socio-economic characteristics of kidnappers ------------------------------------------ 39 3.4.2.2 Categories of kidnappers -------------------------------------------------------------------- 41 3.4.2.3 Perpetrators of kidnappings ---------------------------------------------------------------- 44 3.5 Modes of Executing Kidnappings -------------------------------------------------------------- 46 3.5.1 Single and Group Execution of kidnappings ---------------------------------------------- 46 3.5.2 Use of illegal arms and weapons in kidnappings ------------------------------------------ 48 3.5.3 Ways used to kidnap victims ------------------------------------------------------------------ 51 3.5.4 Periods when kidnappings take place ------------------------------------------------------- 54 3.6 Motives and Factors Encouraging Kidnappings -------------------------------------------- 54 3.6.1 Motives for kidnappings in Kenya ----------------------------------------------------------- 54 3.6.2 Factors encouraging kidnappings in Kenya ----------------------------------------------- 58 3.7 Treatment, Conditions and Coping Mechanisms of Victims ----------------------------- 63 3.7.1 Treatment and conditions victims encounter ---------------------------------------------- 63 3.7.2 Victims’ coping mechanisms ------------------------------------------------------------------ 66 3.8 Effects of the Crime of Kidnap ----------------------------------------------------------------- 67 3.9 The Role of the Community in Kidnappings ------------------------------------------------ 71 3.9.1 Community participation in increased cases of kidnappings -------------------------- 71 3.9.2 Community participation in addressing kidnappings ----------------------------------- 73 3.9.3 Best ways of community participation in addressing kidnappings ------------------- 76 3.10 Existing Interventions to Address Kidnappings ------------------------------------------- 79 3.10.1 Organizations attempting to address kidnappings ------------------------------------- 79 3.10.2 Interventions and their effectiveness in addressing kidnappings -------------------- 83 3.10.2.1 Interventions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 83 3.10.2.2 Effectiveness of interventions ------------------------------------------------------------- 86 3.10.3 Government’s role in containing kidnappings ------------------------------------------- 86 3.10.4 Best practices in preventing and combating kidnappings ----------------------------- 92 3.11 Challenges Faced in Addressing Kidnappings --------------------------------------------- 94 3.11.1 Challenges faced in preventing and combating kidnappings ------------------------- 94 3.11.2 Respondents’ suggestions on possible solutions to challenges faced ---------------- 99 CHAPTER FOUR: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND---------------- 110 RECOMMENDATIONS --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 110 4.1 Introduction --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 110 4.2 Summary of Major Findings ------------------------------------------------------------------ 110 4.2.1 Prevalence of the crime of kidnap by type ----------------------------------------------- 110 4.2.2 Motives and factors encouraging kidnappings ------------------------------------------ 110 4.2.3 Main victims and perpetrators of kidnappings ----------------------------------------- 111 4.2.4 Modes of executing kidnappings ----------------------------------------------------------- 111 4.2.5 Effects of the crime of kidnapping --------------------------------------------------------- 111 iv 4.2.6 Role of the community in kidnappings ---------------------------------------------------- 111 4.2.7 Existing interventions and their effectiveness in addressing kidnappings -------- 112 4.2.8 Challenges faced in preventing and combating kidnappings and possible solutions……………………………………………………………………………………112 4.3 Conclusions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 112 4.4 Recommendations