POLICING JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN KENYA

Abstract

The role of the Police is to protect and serve in Crime prevention, intervention and investigation. However, minors appearing before the juvenile courts in Kenya are mostly street children who have dropped out of school or are forced by poverty into the streets despite Free Primary Education (FPE) in Kenya. The study objective was to establish the treatment given to street children during arrest and to assess the training of the police officers on the process of separating children in need of protection from children accused of crimes. The study area were four counties in Kenya, which are, Bungoma, Kaka mega, Vihiga and Busia. A sample of 113 was obtained from the target population that comprised of Police Officers, Children Officers, Probation Officers, Prison officers in charge of Borstal institution and any 5 juveniles present in the court in all the four Counties. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. Results indicate that children found breaking the law are meted with force and brutality during street arrests. It is recommended that intensive training is necessary in relation to arrest of children with deviant behaviors and identifying those in need of protection. The study is useful for policy making and adding to the body of knowledge in policing juvenile deliquency