Publication: Effects of Social Structure on Youth Criminal Behaviour in Kasarani Sub- County, Nairobi City County, Kenya
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2023-06
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Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies
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Abstract
Globally, youth involvement in crime has been on an upward trajectory in recent times. The
United Nations Development Programme indicates that violent youth crime increased
significantly by 39.53 percent in Sub-Saharan Africa for the period between 2003 and 2015.
In the Kenyan perspective, youth involvement in crime is also said to be growing. The
National Police Service in their annual report highlights a 13 %, 1.3% and 6% increase in
crime in 2018, 2017 and 2016 respectively. The current study investigated the effect of social
structure on criminal behavior among the youth in Kasarani Subcounty, Nairobi County,
Kenya. Specifically, the study considered the effect of social economic status, family
formations, cultural diversity and social support systems on youth involvement in crime in
Kasarani Subcounty, Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following
objectives; To determine the effect of cultural diversity factors on youth involvement in
Kasarani Subcounty, Nairobi County, Kenya. To assess the effect of social support systems
on youth involvement in crime in Kasarani Subcounty, Nairobi County, Kenya. The key
theories that guided the study include the strain theory, cultural deviance theory/ culture
conflict theory and social disorganization theory. The study covered a three-year span
between 2019 and 2021. Data was collected from both primary sources and secondary
sources. Primary data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires which was
administered to various respondents who include leaders of Nyumba Kumi, chiefs and
assistant chiefs, youth leaders and the local police leadership. Secondary data was collected
from the publications by authorities such as the National Police Service and the National
Crime Research Centre. Quantitative data analysis was done through descriptive analysis and
inferential analysis while qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis. The
descriptive statistics include means and standard deviations. The findings suggest that while
education and skill development are highly valued in the community, these factors may not
be perceived as having a significant impact on youth crime.