Examining the State of Security for Security Providers – A Case Study of National Government Administrative Officers in Vihiga County, Kenya

Abstract

There have been efforts by the National government in creating a conducive working environment for National Government Administrative Officers (N.G.A.O) working within the country with emphasis to those working within their home sub-counties. The National government is fast tracking the process by ensuring that their security is guaranteed and protected. This is after a rise in the number of cases of attacks, assault and even death of National Government Administrative Officers within the country and specifically within Vihiga County, who are assaulted while on duty or even when not on official duty. According to the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSHS 2025), a total of 9702 cases has been notified. The main objective of the study is to assess the state of security for National Government Administrative Officers working and residing within Vihiga County. The study also aims at examining key security challenges affecting the officers. The target setting is the National Government Administrative Officers working within the Sub- County in their home areas who continue working and serving the citizens residing within their working home environment. This study will mostly target Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs who work in their home locations and sub-locations and are not transferable. The study also aims at exploring how the National Government tends or addresses security challenges and issues affecting National Government Administrative Officers within the targeted areas. The study will lastly try and address the key areas government is strengthening in mitigating and improving security awareness among the National Government Administrative Officers in Kenya.The study will adopt a descriptive study design with a sample size of 215 respondents. The main respondents will be Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, National Police Service officers, Village elders, Community Policing members, nyumba kumi and the local residents. Primary data will be collected using questionnaires and interview schedules while secondary data will be collected from past records and literature. A mixed-methods approach will be utilized which will involve structured questionnaires for quantitative data and Key Informant Interviews for qualitative data. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data will undergo thematic analysis and presented in a narrative form to compliment the quantitative results. The study aims to establish the correlation between the security challenges within the Sub- County affecting N.G.A.O Officers, their causes, role played by security officers themselves, organized gangs or groups, boda-boda riders, business men and women, criminal gangs among other players within Vihiga County. The study aims to further show the satisfaction rate of work among the officers and the role they play in determining their state of security. The study will also try to give recommendations on the best approaches in ensuring that the officers perform their duties fully and diligently.