ABSTRACT
Juvenile delinquency is a rapidly growing problem in both the developing and developed countries. In Kenya, the incidences of juvenile delinquency have increased in the resent years and thus it has prompted the research studies on juveniles and crime. Juvenile delinquency is a type of offences committed by young people. The major offences committed by juveniles include vandalism, auto-theft, vagrancy, truancy and incorrigibility.

The prevalence of juvenile delinquency has fostered by high living standard in the country, media and technology, availability and misuse of drugs, poor parental skills and broken-homes. However, most cases of juvenile delinquency are never reported, thus making it impossible to arrive at an accurate assessment of the number of children who engage in delinquency. In the 1960s in the United States of America, Gottrieb and Ramsey (1964) observed that only about third of adolescents apprehended by the police for offences considered delinquent were ever taken to police station or juvenile court. Usually, published figures underestimate the real incidences(Snooks, 1980). Therefore, this research proposal tries to study both the overlooked cases and addressed cases of juvenile delinquency in order to understand the risk factors and come up with more accurate figures that will help the CJS and rehabilitative centers come up with effective preventive measures..

This research proposal seeks to explore the different root causes of delinquency in Kericho County; and the extent to which the issue of delinquency have affected development in the county and the social harmony. The study will utilize primary and secondary data sources; interviews to be done with key informants who will be sampled in Kericho County. At the end of it all, the research seeks to make appropriate recommendations on how juvenile delinquency can be reduced and dealt with accordingly

LIST OF ACCRONYMS CJS- Criminal Justice System

NGO- Non-governmental organizations

CHAPTER ONE:
INTRODUCTION
Juvenile delinquency refers to the commission of criminal acts by minor offenders usually below the age of 18 in most countries, though the age varies with nations. The prevalence of juvenile delinquency has greatly increased in the Kenyan society in recent years. Many homes and schools, parents and teachers have to deal with undisciplined children. The juvenile activities include violence, theft, and involvement in illegal gangs, drug-related offences, vandalism and vagrancy.

The root causes of such juvenile anti-social varies and therefore the need to understand its root cause in order to address the problem effectively. One of the major predictors of delinquency is relationship with the parents (Meyer & Dussek, 1979). Children who are rejected by parents, who grow up in families where there is conflict or who are inadequately supervised are at greater risk of becoming delinquent. More recently, other global factors such as, economic pressure, urbanization, HIV/AIDS pandemic, population pressure and poverty have threatened the welfare of most families and children. As a result of these challenges, more Kenyan families are poor, unable to afford basic commodities, including food. Children from such families have ended up in the streets or in committing crime thus juvenile delinquency.

The juvenile anti-social behavior can lead to insecurity now and in the future. The problem of insecurity is currently being experienced in Kenya through the proscribed youthful Alshabaab and Mungiki gangs which have claim the lifes of many people in the country and have kept on being a threat to the people. They are mainly targeted by the illegal gangs since they can easily be persuaded to join or take part in attack with a promise of large sum of money. The current high living standard in Kenya and the competitiveness in the job market has also pressured many young people to engage in juvenile delinquency as a way of coping up with the changing world. This pose a great threat to the country since it will increase insecurity, and deteriorate the development since the government will have to divert the developmental funds into programs and strategies that address the social problem posed by juvenile delinquency.

In its efforts to rehabilitate juvenile delinquency, Kenya government have come up with Children’s Remand Homes and Approved schools. A number of NGOs have also come up with rehabilitation centers. There are 34 such centers in Kenya that are rehabilitating. However, such institutions have not been effective in curbing out the problem of juvenile delinquency since some strategies and preventive measures put in place does not address the root cause of the problem. Therefore, this research proposal will enable them come up with better strategies.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

For the purpose of this research, the focus will be on juvenile delinquency. Only the minors (below 18 of age) will be studied. The study will concentrate on the risk factors of delinquency.

There are some limitations in this research. First of all, the study being carried out in Kericho County is a limitation in itself. The other limitation is the resource and time constraints. There is insufficient time and resources for the research to obtain adequate information.

OPERATIONALIZATION OF TERMS
Juvenile-

Delinquency-

Family-

Crime-

Drug abuse-

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Miles and Huberman (1994) defines a conceptual framework as a visual or written product, one that ‘explains’, either graphically or in native form, the main things to be studied, key factors, concepts, or variables, and the presumed relationships among them. A framework can help us to why we are doing a project in a particular way. It can help us to understand and use the ideas of others who have done similar things. In addition, a framework explains the route we are taking: why would we use certain methods and not others to get to a certain point.

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

PROBLEM STATEMENT
HYPOTHESIS
the study of the prevalence of juvenile delinquency at Kericho county is an important

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY
This chapter will be focusing on the different methods that are going to be employed in data collection on the different proposed research questions. This is one of the most important chapter in research project as it spells out how, where, and which type of data to be collected. Hence, it is the one that determines the quality of the research.
According to Sindhar (2007), research methodology is a way of systematically solving the research problem by adapting various steps that are followed logically. It explains that a research methodology enables critical evaluation of the literaturein relation to the problemat hand as well as creating room for advancement of wealth and human knowledge
The research methodology of this research entails the following components: * Research design * Research area * Data collection techniques * Sample frame and size * Data analysis

REFERENCES 1. Ridway, R (1973);Agression In Youth, London:Priory Press Ltd. London. 2. Dentler R.A. (1967) Major Social Problems. Chicago: R and MC Nally and Company. 3. Meyer, W.J. and Dussek, J. B. (1979). Child Psychology: A Developmental Perspective. Lexington:D.C. Health and Company. 4. Regoli, R.M. and Hewitt, J .D. (1994). Delinquency in society- a child central approach (2nd ed). New York:McGraw-Hill-Inc 5. Lundman, R.J. (1993). Prevention and control of juvenile delinquency (2nd ed). New York: Oxford University Press Inc.

APPENDIX I: RESEARCH INSTRUMENT

QUESTIONNAIRE

1.

APPENDIX II: WORK PLAN

The table below indicates suggested timeframe needed for the project meeting deadline Month | Work plan | 1 | Preparations of questionnaires | 2 | Data collection and research methodology | 3 | Data analysis | 4 | Report preparation |

APPENDIX III: BUDGET

The fees quoted below are exclusive of VAT and are subject to the standard terms and conditions. The fees are subject to the assumptions contained in this proposal and I reserve the right to make adjustments should any assumptions prove to be incorrect. Item | Amount(ksh) | Printing questionnaires | 24600 | Travelling expense | 3800 | stationery | 1600 | food | 5000 | Telephone charges | 2500 | TOTAL | 37500 |