The Nature of Cooperation between Civil Society Organizations and Security Agencies in Community Policing in Kibera Kenya

The study sought to examine the nature of cooperation between civil society organizations and security agencies in community policing in Africas largest informal settlement- Kibera slums in Kenya. Anchored on the broken windows theory, the study targeted to collect data from Kibera residents, the police and the management of civil society organizations. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. The study utilized both secondary and primary data. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires and interview schedule from 384 randomly sampled residents and management staff of the civil society organizations operating in Kiberas Makina village. Secondary data was reviewed from existing studies related to the study. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected. Quantitative data was descriptively analyzed using the percentages and inferential statistics while qualitative data was analyzed using themes emerging from the data in line with the study objective. Analyzed data was presented using charts and tables. The findings of this study showed that there was sharing of information amongst various entities especially between public and police. The study concluded that civil society organizations are effective in the implementation of community policing initiatives in Kibera. The study recommended that there is need for provision of funds that would enable the CSOs in Kibera informal settlement to offer medical help and mental assistance. There is also need for CSOs to include legal practitioners and social workers within their midst so as to increase the frequency and value of these activities.