Factors Influencing Arson Attacks in Selected Public Boarding Secondary Schools in Trans-nzoia County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to establish factors influencing arson attacks in selected boarding secondary public schools, in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to establish how peers-pressure, drug abuse, management strategy and environmental factors influenced arson attacks in selected boarding public secondary schools in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya. The study revisited various theories including McGregory Theory X and Y, the Strain theory, and the theory of crowd behavior to relate theory to the study. As that was not enough, other scholarly works were reviewed in order to provide a clear understanding of the topic of study in relation to other literal works. This study considered a sample 3300 students, teachers, school heads, social workers, and parents from affected schools. The study considered the use of descriptive research methods that included the use of structured questionnaires and interviews to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Sampling units were identified using stratified and purposive sampling because the two methods incorporated various characteristics and thereafter identify those that were directly affected. The sample size adopted was 357; this was the number of respondents who took part in the study. After data collection, it was analyzed using SPSS version 17 and presented findings in tables where an analysis of regression, correlation, and other measures of dispersion was undertaken. Secondary data accessed from Newspapers, peer-reviewed journals, Published Books, and publications from government institutions helped in supporting the study. Following data analysis, it was noted that peer-pressure, drug abuse, management strategy, and environmental factors all influenced arson attacks in selected public secondary schools in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya. It was recommended that learning institutions should employ trained security personnel to regulate the movement of learners and curb the entry of contraband in schools. It was also suggested that Guidance and Counselling departments be established in schools to manage the emotional problems among learners. Furthermore, there was need to involve all stakeholders in consultation before formulation, implementation of any policies, and rules affected the welfare of learners and teachers. In the future, scholars should to delve on the research to find out other factors such as economic, and socio-cultural influencing arson attacks in schools.