Congregants’ perception of vulnerability of church buildings to security threats in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to assess the nature of criminal attacks and perception of congregants on vulnerability of church buildings to security threats in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives; To investigate the nature of perceived vulnerability against church buildings in Nairobi County Kenya, To explore congregants perceptions of what constitutes church buildings security and safety in Nairobi County Kenya, to establish congregants perceptions of their level of preparedness in case of a criminal attack while in church buildings service in Nairobi County Kenya and to detennine the congregants perceptions of what they think should be done to secure church buildings in Nairobi County Kenya. This study will be grounded by two theories: Defensive Space Concept and Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). This study adopted a cross-sectional survey design while stratified random sampling technique was used to pick all the main respondents. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 182 members of each church (main respondents). In addition, Key Informants (K.I) guide was used to collect qualitative data from 8 K.I who include 4 Priests (1 from each church), and 4 security guards (one from each church). Data was analyzed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and results presented using tables, bar and pie charts. The study results revealed that violent attacks against the churches in Nairobi County are on the increase (72%) and that the violent attacks against the churches in Nairobi County have inspired fear among church attendants (68.1%). Further, results showed the gun attacks were the most prevalent in church buildings (29.7%) closely followed by knife attacks (29.1%), explosive attacks (20.3%), suicide bombs (13.2%). Further, the results have revealed that the churches had employed various measures to counter violent attacks where the church has proper guidelines to worshipers on what to do if they notice anything suspicious. The study concludes that perceptions on violent attacks against churches include violent attacks, there is fear during services, and this fear have negative effects on the members. The concluded that the main measure that ensures church security and safety of the congregants included the Perimeter Walls, the use of Metal Detectors in church entrances, and psychological deterrence or barriers that scare criminals away, e.g., dummy cameras. The study recommended the churches in Kenya and elsewhere in the world must always comply with the safety measures to ensure greater safety. The study also recommends the church buildings to have a uniform protection platform in accordance with the international security requirements