UTILIZATION OF DIGITAL COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS IN COMMUNITY POLICING FORUMS AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA

Purpose of Study: The study examined the effect of utilizing digital communication platforms on security management in Community Policing Forums in Nairobi City County, Kenya. It specifically assessed how WhatsApp groups, SMS alerts, and social media platforms influence incident reporting speed, police-community coordination, community participation, information accuracy, and response to security incidents. Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive survey research design targeting 8,922 stakeholders involved in community policing and security management. A sample of 384 respondents was determined using Yamane's formula, with multi-stage sampling employed. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis. Findings: The study found that digital communication platforms positively enhance security management within Community Policing Forums. Respondents reported improvements in reporting speed (M = 3.84), police-community coordination (M =3.82), community participation (M = 3.79), information accuracy (M = 3.76), and response promptness (M = 3.85), producing a composite mean of 3.81. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a strong, positive, and statistically significant relationship between digital communication platforms and security management (r = 0.658, p < 0.01). Regression analysis showed that digital communication platforms explained 43.3% of the variation in security management outcomes, while the regression coefficient was positive and significant (B = 0.646, p < 0.001). The null hypothesis was therefore rejected. Conclusion: The study concludes that utilization of digital communication platforms significantly improves security management in Community Policing Forums in Nairobi City County. Digital platforms strengthen reporting, coordination, participation, information sharing, and response. However, poor connectivity, limited smartphone access, low digital literacy, misinformation, and cybersecurity risks require investment in infrastructure, digital literacy, verification mechanisms, and cybersecurity safeguards.