ROLE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN CONTRIBUTING TO YOUTH RADICALIZATION IN MOMBASA AND KWALE COUNTIES
ROLE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN CONTRIBUTING TO YOUTH RADICALIZATION IN MOMBASA AND KWALE COUNTIES

Summary/Abstract: The criminal justice system is at the center of curtailing radicalization and terrorism. Despite many youths having been arrested, prosecuted, or even eliminated, youth radicalization seems to be on the rise which points to the fact that the very criminal justice system contributes to youth radicalization. Anchored on the social identity theory, the criminal justice theory, and the psychoanalysis theory, the study investigated the contribution of the criminal justice system to the emergence of radicalization among the youth. A descriptive survey design was adopted. The target population was 320. Stratified simple random sampling was used to select respondents. A sample size of 96 was derived representing 30% of the target population. Both primary and secondary data were used. The validity and reliability of data was tested using Cronbach’s alpha. Data was analyzed and presented using descriptive statistics; percentages, frequencies, means, and standard deviations. The research found that police show low level of professionalism while dealing with the problem of radicalization in the study area: suspects are profiled and either arrested and charged in court or arrested and never to be seen again (forced disappearances). That the police do not engage the community when dealing with the problem of radicalization. The study also found out that the legal framework on radicalization and terrorism is a bit weak. The study concludes that the Criminal Justice System is part of the problem of radicalization in the study area. Therefore, there is a need for the CJS to change its tactics in solving the problem. There is a need to change the hard tactics which are mainly militaristic. The law has to be enforced and those who commit criminal acts must face the full force of the law.

• Details
• Contents