Recidivists are chronic, multiple or prolific offenders. They continue to commit crimes regardless of punishment. Recidivism is a worldwide problem which has persisted over the years. A University of Nairobi study conducted in Nairobi County, Kenya on the linkage between punishment and recidivism which involved recidivist prisoners at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison and Langata Prison; male and female institutions respectively, sought to, among others, analyse the broad characteristics of recidivists in the two institutions. The study purposively selected a sample of 167 participants, and collected data by use of questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques were utilised in data analysis. The study established that the majority of the recidivists are males, and young adults or individuals in middle age who are either illiterate or semiliterate. They are also not in marital relationships, and are members of the lower social classes among other characteristics. This paper presents a literature review on challenges facing prison institutions in Kenya, causes and control strategies of recidivism among prisoners, general socio-demographic and personality characteristics of recidivists, and the study findings on the profile of the recidivists in Kenya.

The research investigates the challenges female union members encounter while seeking or assuming labour union leadership positions. Using evidence from Kenya’s Electrical Traders and Allied Workers Union, this article aims at identifying sociocultural barriers, role conflict, and structural constraints on women in relation to gender inequality. The article is based on exploratory research using data comprising both qualitative and quantitative data obtained from interviewing 63 female respondents who were identified using a non-probability sampling procedure referred to as snowballing. The research revealed a significant proportion of the respondents observed that patriarchal union structures favour men, but hinder women from accessing leadership positions. Most viewed the trade union leadership roles as demanding and burdensome and therefore incompatible with their culturally designated family roles. Institutionalised sexism in the trade union discouraged women from assuming leadership positions, since they are unlikely to penetrate the male-dominated informal leadership lobbies and networks in the trade union. The study concludes that the union, and by extension the umbrella trade union movement, should adopt and implement affirmative actions that are focused to maintain women in union leadership structures.

Participation of men and women in all spheres of socio-economic and political development is a basic human right that is enshrined in all the international conventions and treaties that the Kenyan government is a signatory to. The present study sought to explore challenges faced by women in ascending to leadership positions in the trade union movement in Kenya, with refence to KETAWU. The study collected both qualitative and quantitative data from 63 female respondents who were identified using a non-probability sampling procedure referred to as snowballing where one participant would refer the research to another based on the experience, they had with leadership position at KETAWU. The research revealed that a significant proportion of respondents observed that patriarchal union structures favour men, but hinder women from accessing leadership positions. Most viewed the trade union leadership role as demanding and burdensome and therefore incompatible with their culturally designated family roles. That institutionalized sexism in the trade union discouraged females from assuming leadership positions, since they are unlikely to penetrate the male dominated informal leadership lobbies and networks in the trade union. While a substantial percentage of respondents opined that skewed employment, contracts tend to favour men but marginalized women in terms of power and ability to use for union leadership positions. The study concludes that KETAWU and by extension the umbrella trade union movement, should adopt and implement affirmative actions that are aimed at maintaining women into union leadership structures.

Community policing approaches have been used successfully to prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime, and improve public safety. A raging debate, however, is emerging as to whether this approach can be used with equal effectiveness in the prevention of terrorism. Over the last sixteen years, Kenya has tried several approaches to “the war against terrorism.” However, none of the approaches has succeeded in stamping out terrorism. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to find out ways in which the philosophy of community policing could be modelled to fit a citizen based-counter terrorism strategy. The study established that community policing principles can be used to create sustainable partnerships between law enforcement agencies and residents, thus facilitating the identification of root causes of youth radicalization. Training of police officers on community policing principles and trends in youth radicalization was strongly recommended. Further, police officers should invest more in trust-building initiatives in establishing a joint early warning system with the local communities they serve. The study further recommends an intensive public awareness campaign on the nature, indicators, and symptoms of youth radicalization within Eastleigh and the country at large.

Globally and more specifically in developing countries, forest covers are dwindling as a result of human encroachments and deforestation. This is regardless of the numerous forest conservation zlaws and policies in force. The overall study objective was to ascertain the forest conservation status of Maasai Mau Forest in Narok County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to establish the extent to which the relevant state agencies have succeeded in warding off encroachment and deforestation; in effecting reforestation and enlisting Community Forest Associations (CFASs) participation in their forest conservation activities. However, the study findings showed minimal success in the twin objectives since forest encroachments and deforestation continue unabated as evidenced by the rising number of forest-related crimes, illegal forest settlements and reported cases of deforestation. Evidently, existing legal enforcement mechanisms are ineffective. Available forest protection programmes and policies were found to be weak, inadequate and/or poorly coordinated. The practical conservation role of CFAs was equally found to be rather minimal. It is therefore, concluded that the objective of safeguarding the Maasai Mau Forest from human encroachment and deforestation remains a long shot. Hence, there is the need to strengthen the relevant legal framework, institutions, stakeholders, policies and programmes.