Effect of security risk control programmes on safety in universities in tharaka nithi and meru counties

Over the years, the world has had huge losses in regard to security risks. The risk of lossfrom insecurity does not exempt any part of the country. Learning institutions are meant to be safe places for students, employees and their teachers. Their protection must be fully guaranteed. One of the reasons for establishment of university institutions is promotion of education and peaceful co-existence, however in the recent years these institutions have repeatedly been locations and targets of threats and security risks. Securityrisk control programmes are designed to minimize the risk of loss and ensure safety in the organization. This study soughtto determine the effect of security risk control programmes on safety in universities in TharakaNithi and Merucounties. The specific objectives of the study were to establish the association of security detection programmes, emergency programmes, education and training Programmes on safety in universities. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study, with the target population being University staff and students in all the Universities in TharakaNithi and Merucounties. A complete enumeration the 27 top management staff and a sample of 72 students and 71staff in all the three universities in Tharaka Nithi and Meru countieswas conducted. Data collection was done using questionnaires. The tools were pre-tested at DedanKimathi University where 70 respondents wereselected. The pretest which was done using split half technique obtained a correlation coefficient of 0.769. Data analysis was done using inferential statistics and results were presented in cross tabulations, Chisquare, frequency and percentages. The analysis was facilitated by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The results revealed that all universities have implemented various programmes aimed at increasing safety in the universities. The results further revealed that there was a significant association of security risk detection programmes with safety in universities since p value 0.042≤0.05 and chi-square value of 36.142at 5% significance level. The studyobtained that there was no significant association of security risk emergency programmes with safety since 0.530>0.05 and chi-square value 1.322 at 5% significance level. Study further revealed that there was no significance association of security risk training programmes with safety in universities since 0.496>0.05 and chisquare value 49.936at 5% significance level. The study will form a basis of policy formulation on safety and security matters in public universities in Kenya and provide a basis for further research in the field.