Factors Influencing Juvenile Delinquency At Eldoret Juvenile Remand Home, Kenya

Abstract

Increase in number of children admitted at juvenile remand homes in Kenya is alarming. Seemingly, the factors associated with juvenile delinquency in the North Rift region are not clearly documented. Therefore, this study endeared to investigate the factors leading to the rise. The objectives of this study were therefore to establish a) individual factors, b) family factors, and c) community factors, influencing juvenile delinquency in Eldoret Juvenile Remand Home. The study employed social disorganisation theory and general strain theory. The study adopted exploratory research design, involving 100 juveniles aged between 9 to 17 years. Census sampling was used to select respondents for juvenile interviews, while purposive sampling was used to select respondent for Focus Group Discussions and juvenile home staff questionnaires. Qualitative data was analysed through transcription and thematic analysis while quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Among the findings were that, low self-control (20%), poor academic performance and low academic aspirations (55%), school drop-out (80%), were individual factors, while poor parenting styles (80%), abusive families (60%), poverty (55%), and absentee parents (45%), were family factors linked to juvenile delinquency. Regarding community factors, poor socialisation (45%), peer pressure (40%), alcohol and drug abuse (30%), were factors that led to juvenile delinquency. Among recommendations of the study were that; schools enhance their counselling services to curb low self control, poor academic performance, and low academic aspiration. Government put policies in place for school drop-outs due to age and poor academic performance to undergo vocational training for self reliance. The study also recommends that the government, counselling psychologists, churches, and other stakeholders to organise public forums where parents are taught good parenting styles, sensitised on the constitutional rights of children and the consequences of child neglect. Parents and guardian be empowered by the government and non-governmental organisation to do small scale businesses to enhance their livelihood. Finally government, counselling psychologists and other stake-holders sensitise community on the effects of poor socialisation, violence, abuse of drug and substance on the children‟s behaviour.