Kenya raises age of criminal responsibility from 8 to 12

MADRID, 9 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Government of Kenya has signed this Friday a decree law by which it amends the norm on the rights of children, thus raising the age of criminal responsibility from 8 to 12 years.

The amendments, which Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta signed into law on Thursday, also require legal representation for children who are in legal trouble or facing trial, the online daily 'Pulse Live' has reported.

Also, with the new law, children accused of minor offenses will not be prosecuted in court, but will have to go through "community-based support networks".

"A person under the age of twelve years shall not be criminally responsible for any act or omission and a child who commits an offense under the age of fourteen shall be presumed to be unable to differentiate between right and wrong unless the court is satisfied with proof to the contrary", establishes the new Children's Law.

Previously, the Kenya Penal Code set the minimum age of criminal responsibility at 8 years. A child between the ages of 8 and 12 could be held responsible for a crime if it was shown that she was aware of it, according to data from the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT).