Prevalence of Cybercrime and the Police Preparedness, Nairobi, Kenya

The study focused on police preparedness to deal with cybercrime in Kenya. It aimed at establishing the prevalence and preparedness of the police in dealing with cybercrime in Nairobi County, Kenya with a view of suggesting appropriate strategies to curb the menace. It established that poor computer security practices, unawareness to public, under/non-reporting, unemployment of ICT graduates and growth in broadband connections promoted rise in prevalence levels of cybercrime. Other findings were that police officers¿ effort in countering cybercrime were being hindered by lack of specialized training, tools and equipment, weak Kenyan ICT laws, cross border nature of cybercrime and legal jurisdictional disparities amongst various states in which effects of cybercrime traverses. It recommended that, police are provided with up to date tools, equipment and regular trainings on cyber forensics. The Kenyan ICT laws to be amended to capture new offences and stiffer penalties for offenders alongside sensitization programs to raise awareness amongst ICT users on security precautions to observe.