The Nexus Between Prison’s Aspect of Criminal Justice and Drivers of Youth Radicalization in Isiolo County, Kenya

Abstract

The study investigated how Prisons Aspect of Criminal Justice System Influence Youth Radicalization in Isiolo County, Kenya. This study was premised on three theories: frustration-aggression, rational choice, and criminal justice. The study area was Isiolo County. Isiolo County, is located almost in the center of the country, 285 km north of Nairobi. Though Islam and Christianity are practiced in Isiolo County, the inhabitants are largely Muslim. The county is mostly arid with some semi-arid areas, economically poor and marginal. The study focused on Isiolo, Merit and Garbatulla sub-counties. Additionally, the study was underpinned by descriptive survey research design. The sample size was composed of 287 households, remandees and mainstream prisoners, key informants, youth returnees and radicalized and extremist youths. The sampling strategies used included simple random sampling, purposive sampling for key informants and snowballing for youth returnees and radicalized and extremist youths. Data was collected through questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed through SPSS where descriptive and inferential statistics was generated while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis with themes generated through verbatim triangulation. In line with specific objective one, the study concludes that demographic elements were critical in establishing the nexus between the criminal justice systems and youth radicalization. The study found that poverty, economic marginalization, religious fanatism, and overcrowding of the prisons were major drivers for youth radicalization in Isiolo County. Overall, the study concludes that despite various efforts and strategies adopted by the government, both national and County, to militate against youth radicalization in Isiolo County, Prisons aspect of criminal justice system has continued to face multiple challenges that have stymied its efficacy. Thus, the situation has continued unabated, to the detriment of the greater population of Isiolo County. The study recommends that a criminal justice framework be put in place to address the endemic factors for specific objective one to address radicalization.