EMBU, Kenya- Civil society organizations advocating for the rights of the boy child have urged the government to review laws that have led to the imprisonment of many young men, arguing that some of these laws deny them an opportunity to rebuild their lives after serving jail terms.
The call was made by the Boy Child Justice Alliance CBO during a sensitization forum held at Embu G.K Prison.
The forum, which targeted male inmates, was organized in collaboration with Cynert Hospital and Rehabilitation Center and the Embu G.K Prison administration.
Speaking during the event, the Organizing Secretary of Boy Child Justice Alliance CBO, Patrick Nguu, said the boy child has been neglected by several laws, particularly those touching on sexual offences.
He cited provisions of the Sexual Offences Act, 2006, noting that in some cases, especially defilement cases, a conviction can be secured based on the testimony of a single witness.
Nguu argued that such laws should be reviewed to ensure fairness, proposing that at least two witnesses be required before an accused person is found guilty.
He further suggested the introduction of scientific or technological methods to help establish guilt, saying that many inmates are imprisoned despite cases involving consensual relationships.
“We have seen many inmates serving long sentences for crimes that were committed with the consent of the girl child. In some instances, ulterior motives by families lead to accusations that leave young men imprisoned for many years,” Nguu said.
He added that the organization will continue following up on such cases, emphasizing the need to sensitize the boy child on their rights, as many end up in prison due to lack of legal awareness.
Similar sentiments were shared by the Chairman of Boy Child Justice Alliance CBO in Embu County, Elias Njeru Nyaga, who said the boy child has been marginalized for a long time.
Nyaga pointed out that while there are numerous government funds and programs targeting women, very few initiatives focus on empowering men and the boy child.
“The boy child is the source of future generations. If he is neglected, society risks losing its future. Some young men are serving extremely long sentences for minor sexual offences, which completely disrupts their lives,” Nyaga said.
He called on Members of Parliament to urgently review laws affecting the boy child, noting that some of the existing statutes are overly punitive and leave young men unable to reintegrate into society.
On his part, Patrick Kariithi, the Manager of Cynert Hospital and Rehabilitation Center and head of the Mental Wellness Department, expressed concern over the rising number of young men in prison.
He noted that most inmates are aged 25 years and below, with many incarcerated for drug, alcohol, and minor offences.
“It is alarming to see such young men spending the most productive years of their lives in prison. Parents, the government, and society must work together to support the boy child so they can change their lives for the better,” Kariithi said.
He urged the government to consider rehabilitation as an alternative to imprisonment for minor offences, saying rehabilitation centers have proven effective in transforming young men into responsible and productive members of society.
Deputy In-Charge of Embu G.K Prison, John Kanyugi, also supported calls for legal reforms, noting that most inmates at the facility are serving sentences for sexual offences, some as long as 50 to 140 years.
“When offenders serve such lengthy sentences, they lose any chance of rebuilding their lives. Prisons are meant to correct, not just punish. Shorter sentences and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms should be considered for minor offences,” Kanyugi said.
He thanked the Boy Child Justice Alliance CBO and Cynert Hospital and Rehabilitation Center for their efforts in empowering the boy child through awareness and rehabilitation initiatives.
Currently, Embu G.K Prison hosts a male inmate population of 1,365, the majority of whom are serving sentences related to sexual offences.
