Reframing Juvenile Justice Through a Human Rights Lens: Kenya and the U.S. Case Studies

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Author(s): Simeon P. Sungi (United States International University-Africa, Kenya)
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 28
Source title: Juvenile Justice in African and Western Criminal Justice Systems
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Simeon Peter Sungi (United States International University-Africa, Kenya)and Henry K. Murigi (Pan-African Christian University, Kenya)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-9343-4.ch013

Keywords: Criminal Science & Corrections / General Law / Information Science Reference / Security & Forensics

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Abstract

This chapter explores the reframing of juvenile justice through a human rights lens, using Kenya and the United States as comparative case studies. Both nations offer contrasting yet insightful approaches to juvenile justice, shaped by their legal frameworks and socio-political contexts. Kenya, as a signatory to key international treaties like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, emphasizes rehabilitation and diversion in its juvenile justice system. Conversely, the U.S., with its decentralized and punitive-focused approach, grapples with systemic issues such as racial disparities, the transfer of juveniles to adult courts, and over-incarceration. Through a comparative analysis, this chapter examines how each country's juvenile justice system aligns with or diverges from international human rights norms, highlighting implementation challenges, including resource constraints in Kenya and racial disparities in the U.S. The chapter underscores the need for reforms that prioritize the rights, dignity, and rehabilitation of young offenders globally.

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