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 goal of this research is to determine the influence of organized criminal gangs on the
livelihoods of Kaptembwo residents in Nakuru County.
1.4 Objectives of the study
The study focused on the following research objectives:
1) To determine the reasons that drive young individuals to join criminal gangs.
2) Determine how organized criminal gangs affect 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 motivates youth to join criminal gangs?
3) What characteristics and modes of operation distinguish 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. These organized criminal gangs, in particular, poses
significant challenges to police crime prevention efforts in Kaptembwo and across Kenya.
The increasing number of organized criminal gangs, as well as the genetic mutations that
result from some of them, are sufficient reasons for society to act. 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
This research study focuses on the impacts 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
This research study assumes that all respondents will be easily accessible 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 gathering and presenting of extensive information on a single individual
or small group.
