The Numbers
Overpopulation
Youthful Offenders
Petty Offenses
The occupancy level in remand facilities is at an alarming 173.2%, which indicates a grossly overcrowded system. With a total of 24,143 individuals in remand, the facilities are operating beyond their capacity, posing a significant risk to the health and safety of inmates.
A significant proportion of individuals in remand are young people aged between 18 to 35. Specifically, 50% of those in remand for petty offenses belong to this age group, and 55% of those in remand fall within the 18 to 30 age bracket. These statistics highlight the plight of young people within the Kenyan justice system and the urgent need for targeted reforms.
A shocking 70% of cases in the Kenyan justice system pertain to petty offenses, as revealed in a report released by former Chief Justice David Maraga in January 2017. This statistic underscores the need for systemic reforms to address the inefficiencies and injustices in the legal system, as well as the over-reliance on incarceration for minor offenses.