More than 121,000 young people have been incarcerated in Kenya’s correctional facilities since 2022, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has told the Senate.
Murkomen disclosed the figures while responding to a question from Nyandarua Senator John Methu, who had sought details on the number of youths in prison, offenses linked to criminal gangs and violent extremism, rehabilitation programs and government measures aimed at preventing youth involvement in crime.
According to the Interior Ministry, 121,870 youths were incarcerated between 2022 and 2026. Of these, 109,745 were male while 12,125 were female.
The figures show that 23,676 youths were incarcerated in 2022, rising to 31,331 in 2023 and peaking at 34,776 in 2024. The number dropped to 23,961 in 2025 and stood at 8,126 in 2026.
County data presented to the Senate showed that Nyeri recorded the highest number of incarcerated youths at 9,194, followed by Nairobi with 8,344 and Kakamega with 7,438.
“The statistics were compiled from correctional facilities across the country and reflect the scale of youth involvement in crime and related offenses,” Murkomen said.
Youth Crime and Sentencing
The Cabinet Secretary told senators that 11,824 youths were imprisoned for offenses linked to criminal gang activities, violent extremism and political goonism.
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Criminal gang activities accounted for the largest share, with 9,959 youths jailed for such offenses.
Another 676 youths were incarcerated for violent extremism-related crimes, while 1,189 were imprisoned for political goonism.
The data showed that men accounted for most of the offenders, with 11,522 males compared to 302 females.
Murkomen said sentences varied depending on the nature and seriousness of the offenses committed.
He said prison terms ranged from as little as two days to indefinite sentences, including life imprisonment and the death penalty where provided for under the law.
According to the ministry, the average definite custodial sentence imposed on youth offenders was about four and a half years.
“The Government recognizes that youth involvement in crime is driven by a combination of economic, social, behavioral and security-related factors,” Murkomen stated.
Murkomen on Rehabilitation and Government Interventions
Murkomen said the Kenya Prisons Service has expanded rehabilitation and reintegration programs to equip young offenders with skills and opportunities for life after prison.
Since 2022, 4,610 youths have successfully completed rehabilitation programs while serving custodial sentences and have been reintegrated into society.
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The programs include counseling and psychosocial support, formal education, vocational and technical training, creative arts, tailoring, sports and recreation activities, mental health support services, and specialized treatment programs.
Youth offenders are also trained in practical skills such as welding and fabrication, carpentry and joinery, electrical installation, masonry and plumbing, motor vehicle mechanics, coding and robotics, gaming and animation, and fashion and textile design.
Murkomen said inmates who successfully complete the programs receive nationally recognized certificates from institutions such as the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), the National Industrial Training Authority and Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions.
The Government has also rolled out measures to prevent young people from being drawn into criminal activities.
Among the initiatives cited were County Action Plans on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, youth mentorship programs, community dialogue forums, online counter-radicalization campaigns and rehabilitation programs for returnees.
Murkomen said youth empowerment initiatives, including the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Ajira Digital Program, Affordable Housing Program, Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project, Climate Workx Program and the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement Program, are helping create opportunities for young people.
He added that the Government has increased access to vocational training institutions and intensified operations against criminal gangs, drug trafficking networks and organized criminal groups accused of recruiting and exploiting youths.
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