Assessing The Role of Community Resident Associations in Maintenance of Peace in Kenya: A Case of Eastleigh Resident Community Association, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Resident Associations have played significant roles in ensuring the maintenance of peace and harmony in the community even with the existence of challenges hindering effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of community resident association in the maintenance of peace in Kenya with Eastleigh Resident Community Association (ERECA) as a reference point. The objectives of the study were establishing the roles undertaken by ERECA in community-led peace initiatives, evaluation of the challenges it faces in undertaking peace activities and determining possible remedies that ERECA could apply to curb the challenges. The study was underpinned by Social Capital and Broken Window theories and used descriptive research design. It targeted a population of 344 staff and a sample of 103 respondents who were chosen using purposive sampling. The researcher collected primary data by questionnaires and analyzed it using SPSS (Version 26) where data was coded, entered, cleaned, analyzed and presented. The findings of the study guided the drawing of conclusions and the formulation of recommendations that would be beneficial to scholars, government and other security agents, and ERECA. Ethical consideration was also upheld. This study found that ERECA plays a crucial role in community led initiatives in Eastleigh, including representation, advocacy, and safeguarding community interests, supported by 76.5% of respondents. However, challenges such as poor police community relations, limited resources, and low community participation hinder ERECA’s effectiveness, as concurred by 82% of respondents. The study identified potential remedies such as social mobilization, improved police community relations, enhanced communication channels, and government regulations as crucial for strengthening ERECA’s peacebuilding efforts, supported by 83.1% of respondents. The study concludes that ERECA plays a multifaceted role in peace initiatives, while its effectiveness is hindered by several challenges. To address these issues, the study recommends enhancing social mobilization and improving cooperation with law enforcement and the government. It also concludes that external factors, such as government regulations and street lighting systems, are crucial for supporting the association’s long-term sustainability and effectiveness.