Kenya and UK Strike New Deal on Youth Justice Ahead of Nairobi Summit
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Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Monday held high level talks with the United Kingdom’s Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sentencing, Youth Justice and International, Jake Richards, in Nairobi ahead of a major continental conference on justice reforms.
The meeting comes just before the Pan-African Round Table Conference on Advancing Community Corrections, which is set to bring together policymakers, legal experts and correctional professionals from across Africa to deliberate on progressive justice systems.
According to officials, the discussions between Murkomen and Richards centred on strengthening Kenya–UK cooperation in correctional services, sentencing reform, youth justice and probation systems.
Both leaders underscored the importance of shifting from punitive approaches to more rehabilitative and community-based correctional models.
Murkomen noted that Kenya has been undertaking reforms aimed at modernising its correctional services and easing pressure on overcrowded prisons.
He said partnerships with countries such as the United Kingdom would be instrumental in sharing expertise, building institutional capacity and aligning Kenya’s systems with global best practices.
We are keen on learning from jurisdictions that have successfully implemented community-based correction systems, particularly in probation and youth justice,” Murkomen said, adding that the government remains committed to reforms that promote rehabilitation, reintegration and public safety.
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On his part, Richards reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to supporting justice sector reforms in Kenya and across the region.
He highlighted the importance of evidence-based sentencing policies and alternatives to custodial sentences, especially for non-violent and first-time offenders.
The talks also explored collaboration in tackling recidivism, strengthening probation frameworks and improving case management systems.
Both sides emphasised the need to focus on youth justice, noting that early intervention programmes and restorative justice approaches can significantly reduce repeat offending among young people.
The Pan-African Round Table Conference is expected to provide a platform for African nations to exchange experiences and develop strategies aimed at enhancing community corrections.
Organisers say the forum will focus on practical solutions to reduce prison congestion, promote offender rehabilitation and strengthen partnerships between governments and civil society.
Kenya has in recent years intensified efforts to reform its justice and correctional sectors, including reviewing sentencing guidelines and expanding non custodial measures.
The collaboration with the UK is seen as part of a broader strategy to build a more humane, efficient and accountable correctional system.
As the conference begins in Nairobi, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the commitments discussed translate into concrete reforms and long term cooperation between the two countries.
