“Young offenders who commit crimes while in school should not to be remanded in adult centers but instead given alternative punishment” said MP Washiali.
Members of Parliament have supported Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali call for more rehabilitation schools in the country for juvenile offenders.
While making his presentation in the National Assembly said Washiali who is also the Majority Whip said that crimes committed by students and lead to their arrest are usually mild thus the need for the whole issue of them being taken to cells should be re-considered.
“The figures I got form the police on the number of children that have been arrested over the years are so shocking but what’s even more baffling is the reasons for their arrests.
“What stood out though is the lack of attention from schools’ administrations who ignore the students’ demands consequently making them to go on rampage. Peer pressure is also a major reason,” he said on Wednesday while making his submissions.
Washiali cited that in 2016, some 435 students had been arrested countrywide for various offenses, while in 2017 the number stood at 108 and in 2018 he projected the figure could be higher following the spate of school unrests witnessed in different parts of the country.
“We should put pressure on the government on this matter so that more approved schools can be set up instead of them being taken to normal cells where are they held with hardcore criminals,” he said.
Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo proposed that the approved schools should be constructed in all 47 counties.
Maanzo argued that the current system where students who commit crimes are taken to court always end up with their cases dragging for a while hence affecting their progress in life.
“These children when they are presented before a court of law, they eventually join the club of the jobless youths.”
Siaya Woman Representative Christine Ombaka however opposed the recommendations and said that children who commit crimes in schools should be punished severely.
“When children burn schools and beat teachers they should be punished, counselling them at times is never a lasting solution. What is wrong with arresting them and imprisoning them at least for two years?” she posed.
According to section 18(2) of the constitution , the children’s Act provides that a child offender shall be separated from adults in custody.
There are 11 juvenile centers in the country, two of them for girls and nine for boys.