GOVERNMENT POLICY ON REHABILITATION OF CHILDREN INVOLVED IN STREET CRIME IN NAKURU COUNTY

DAVID NDIANG’UI NDIRANGU; CYPRIAN KAVIVYA

doi:10.61426/rjssh.v4i1.59

DAVID NDIANG’UI NDIRANGU Kenyatta University, Kenya
CYPRIAN KAVIVYA, PhD Kenyatta University, Kenya

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61426/rjssh.v4i1.59

Keywords: Street Children, Rehabilitation, Government Policy, Nakuru County, Crime

Abstract

The menace of street children involved in crime is still prevalent in major urban centres in Kenya despite government intervention measures put in place to address the problem. This research examined the government policy on rehabilitation of children involved in street crime in Nakuru County. The study used structural empowerment theory as its foundation. Target population was 595 respondents from children department, prison staff, court staff, street children, the National Youth Service staff and National Government Administrative officers. Stratified random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were utilized to identify 128 respondents from the study population. Data collection instruments included questionnaire for government employees and interview guide for street children. The study questionnaire was checked for validity using expert review and for reliability using the test-retest technique. Quantitative data was analyzed by use of statistical package for social science (SPSS). Both descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized in the process of data analysis. Study findings revealed a statistically significant and positive relationship between government policy interventions and rehabilitation of street children involved in crime. Further still, inadequate funding, inadequate personnel, poor entry behaviour and inadequate tools and equipment in institutions that provide rehabilitation for street children involved in crime were the challenges faced in the implementation of government measures aimed at addressing criminality among street children in Nakuru County. Based on the study findings and conclusions, the study recommended that the government should establish policies and guidelines that are grounded in statute to offer practical solutions to the crime committed by street children. This would mainly be in terms of preventive and supportive programmes for the rehabilitation and reformation of street children, not only those involved in crime but also those who are yet to engage in crime.

Author Biographies

DAVID NDIANG’UI NDIRANGU, Kenyatta University, Kenya

Master of Arts in Leadership and Security Management, School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies

CYPRIAN KAVIVYA, PhD, Kenyatta University, Kenya

Senior Lecturer, Department of Security and Correctional Science

References

ANPPCAN (2008).Hearing on Street Children in Kenya. Nairobi: ANPPCAN publications.

Atkinson Sheppard, S., (2017). Mastaans and the market for social protection. Exploring Mafia groups in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Asian Journal of Criminology.

Atkinson Sheppard, S, (2016). The gangs of Bangladesh. Exploring organized crime, street gangs and “illicit child labourers” in Dhaka. Criminology and Criminal Justice. Vol. 16(2) 233–249.

Butler, U. (2009). Freedom, revolt and ‘citizenship’: Three pillars of identity for youngsters living on the streets of Rio de Janeiro. Childhood, 16(1), 11–29.

Conscription of street children in NYS Accessed https//www.standardmedia.ac.ke on 3/03/2010.

Conticini, A, & Hulme, D. (2007). Escaping violence, seeking freedom: Why children in Bangladesh migrate to the street. Development and Change, 38(2), 201–227.

Creswell, J.W., & Plano Clark, V.L. (2011). Design and conducting mixed research (2nded.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage

Standard Newspaper; https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000124477/street-families-a-nuisance-to-shoppers accessed on 19/07/2019

Hossain, S.A. (2016). Socio-Economic Status of the Street Children. International Journal of Social Work, 3(1), 42-49.

Human Right Watch (2018). World Report of Brazil 2017.

Isahakia, M. (2010). In Kazi Kwa Vijana Operations Manual: Volume I, Nairobi: Office of the Prime Minister. https://scholar.google.com/scholar publication year 2010 author M. Isahakia accessed on 09/05/2019

LoK, (2009). Borstal Institutional Act Chapter 92.National Council of Law Reporting.

Mills, G.E., Gay, L.R., & Airasian, P. (2009). Educational research: Competence for analysis and applications (9thed.) Upper saddle River, NJ: Merrill.

Mugenda, O.M. and Mugenda, A.G. (2003). Research Methods, Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. Nairobi: Act Press.

Munyakho, J. (1992). The Urban Child in Difficult Circumstances, Kenya: Child newcomers in the urban jungle, International Child Development Centre, UNICEF, Florence, Italy.

Republic of Kenya (ROK, 2005). Kenya Education Sector Support Programme 2005 – 2010. Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Nairobi.

UNCRC (2003) General measures of implementing of the convention on the right of a child.

UNICEF (2012). Situational Analysis of the Street Children Involved in Begging in Dhaka City. Dhaka: Barkat, A., Osman, A., Ahsan, M., & Shawaly, H.H.

World Bank, (2007). Skill Development in India, the Vocational Education and Training System.

World Bank, (2010). Kenya Youth Empowerment Project. Retrieved January 11, 2011, from http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects. accessed on 10/05/2019

Young, L. (2004). Journeys to the street: the complex migration geographies of Ugandan street children, Geo forum 35(4), pp. 471-488.