Functions of the National Crime Research Centre in Kenya

The functions of the National Crime Research Centre are stipulated in the National Crime Research Centre Act. The National Crime Research Centre is a State Corporation under the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice.

The National Crime Research Centre shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and shall be capable, in its corporate name, of–

• suing and being sued;
• taking, purchasing or otherwise acquiring, holding, charging or disposing of movable and immovable property;
• entering into contracts;
• borrowing money;
• doing or performing all such other things or acts necessary for the proper performance of its functions under the National Crime Research Centre Act, which may be lawfully done or performed by a body corporate.

The role of the National Crime Research Centre in Kenya shall be to carry out research into the causes of crime and its prevention and to disseminate research findings to such institutions as the Council may, from time to time, determine for appropriate action.

The functions of the National Crime Research Centre

Section 5 of the National Crime Research Centre Act states the functions of the National Crime Research Centre in Kenya as follows:

• carry out co-ordinated research into, and evaluate the impact of, programmes pursued by the agencies responsible for the administration of criminal justice;
• collate all crime-related data;
• research any criminal activity and in particular–
  • crime causation and prevention;
  • group or culture-related crimes;
  • socio-political and economic causes of criminal behaviour including drug trafficking, peddling or addiction;
  • the modus operandi of persons engaged in any criminal activity;
  • juvenile delinquency;
• research deviations from the criminal justice system to increase the awareness and responsibility of the community in the rehabilitation of criminal offenders;
• research the efficacy and adequacy of criminal investigation and prosecution agencies, the penal system and treatment of criminal offenders;
• disseminate its research findings through publications, workshops, seminars, the mass media and other appropriate means of dissemination;
• communicate its research findings and recommendations to the agencies of Government concerned with the administration of criminal justice, to assist them in their policy formulation and planning;
• liaise with any other research bodies within or outside Kenya engaged in the pursuit of similar or related research; and
• do all such things as appear necessary or expedient for the performance of its functions.

For more about the National Crime Research Centre, see the the National Crime Research Centre Act and visit their website.