Role of Information Communication and Technology in Enhancing Security in Urban Areas in Kenya: A Literature Based Review
Abstract
ICT and other advanced technologies are becoming a powerful tool for responding to criminals, engaging in hotspots policing, solving violent crimes, monitoring employees' performance and many other functions. Technologies, such as video cameras, data mining systems, heat sensors, biometrics, GPS tracking, and Internet and telecommunication systems are being used for the detection, investigation, prosecution and prevention of crime in the law enforcement and security sector. The purpose of the study was to establish the role of information communication and technology in enhancing security in urban areas in Kenya: A literature based review. The paper used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes. A critical review of empirical literature was conducted to establish the role of role of information communication and technology in enhancing security in urban areas. It was established that technology is critical to enhancing security in urban areas and in the country at large. Today's urban cities face a number of threats on a daily basis, it is essential to have a complete view of their operations and the local area at all times. Technologically enables collective action and offers a viable near-term complement to traditional crime fighting efforts in urban areas. ICT makes it easier for public groups and NGOs to organize responses to crime and even to highlight and thereby decrease instances of security officers' incompetence and corruption. The study concluded that several methods could be satisfactorily adopted for crime-based prevention and use of technology after identifying the spots. Places where there is high rate of crime, implementation of vigilance with CCTV, situational crime prevention methods and checking the geographical unit where crime rate is high and less. The study recommended the implementation of an information-sharing platform between agencies to enhance security in urban areas. This platform would provide information to the various security agencies. Further information from the various security agencies should be interlinked to provide real time information that can be used to avert crime activities in the urban areas.
Key words: Information Communication and Technology, Security, Urban Areas, Kenya.
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