When criminal cases are significantly lost through acquittals, dismissals and withdrawals, the goals of the penal system – rehabilitation, retribution, deterrence and incapacitation, are impaired occasioning the commission of more crimes and indeed an increase in the rate of crime. Furthermore, it fundamentally negates the general public’s confidence in the ability of the Criminal Justice System to solve crime.
The study’s findings revealed that serious criminal offenses were mostly lost in Kenyan courts. These include robbery, corruption, economic crimes, murder, rape, defilement, assault and drug trafficking. Lack of synergy among criminal justice agencies, investigation gaps, delayed completion of cases, prosecution gaps, unethical conduct bordering on corruption; delays in arraigning suspects, witness absconding and delays in submission of expert evidence in courts emerged as significant contributors to the loss of criminal cases. Infographics on Public Perceptions and Experiences on the Loss of Criminal Cases in Law Courts by The Government of Kenya.
Our response:
We disseminate research findings and recommendations to government agencies concerned with the administration of criminal justice for purposes of policy planning and formulation.
What you can do to help
You can help prevent crimes and security threats in Kenya by reporting to the Police, NCRC website (http://crimeresearch.go.ke/report-crimes/) and NCRC Mobile Phone Crime Reporting/Monitoring tool from mobile phones operating systems: Google Playstore, applestore and Windows Store, (Free Service)
