Factors Responsible for Juvenile Delinquency Among Convicts at Kabete Approved School in Kenya

Purpose of Study: This study examined the factors responsible for juvenile delinquency among juveniles at Kabete Approved School in Nairobi County, Kenya. It also investigated the relationship between reformation strategies and juveniles’ readiness for community reintegration, focusing on how family, social, and economic circumstances influence delinquent behaviour and the rehabilitation process. Methodology: The study employed a descriptive survey design using a mixed-methods approach. A sample of 148 respondents was selected from a target population of 190 using stratified random, simple random, and purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions and analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and thematic analysis. Findings: The findings revealed that family neglect and poor parental supervision were the leading factors responsible for juvenile delinquency, reported by 61.3% of respondents. Peer pressure and gang involvement followed at 58.5%, while poverty and lack of basic needs accounted for 53.8%. Other contributing factors included substance use, exposure to criminal role models, school dropout, and idleness. Chi-square analysis established significant associations between readiness for community reintegration and formal education (p = .016), counselling (p = .007), vocational training (p = .011), and life-skills training (p = .015). Sports and recreation showed no statistically significant association with reintegration readiness. Conclusion: The study concluded that juvenile delinquency at Kabete Approved School results from interacting family, social, and economic factors rather than a single cause. Effective rehabilitation requires stronger family involvement, accessible education, counselling, vocational and life-skills training, adequate institutional resources, and structured post-release support to promote successful community reintegration.