Protecting children in the Kenyan justice system

Her nickname as a young girl was 'the protector of children'. Now, as a Sentencer in the Children Court, Alice Macharia has enjoyed an impactful career in the criminal justice system. Through her book, Rights of the Child, Mothers and Sentencing: the case of Kenya, she has completely changed the approach to sentencing in Kenya's judicial system, sparking a wave of research among university students.   

The inspiration  

'As far back as I can remember, my late dad had a nickname for me, which loosely translates as 'the protector of children', owing to the courage I displayed in protecting youngsters against any form of abuse. This is what guided my academic path into law and a career in the criminal justice system. I've worked within the police, probation (where I assessed incarcerated mothers for non-custodial sentences), state counsel and, currently, I sit in the Children Court whilst still engaging with training in my areas of specialisation.'

The book 

'My book, Rights of the Child, Mothers and Sentencing: the case of Kenya, was published in 2021 by Routledge Publishers. It draws international attention to the autonomy of the child, despite being dependent on the convicted caregiver. It explores how states could punish mothers, while protecting the rights and wellbeing of the children they may be expecting, nursing or responsible for in the outside world.  

'Its seven chapters include investigations into the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the evolution of women's imprisonment in Kenya and a detailed tour of the generic Kenyan Sentencing Guidelines. It concludes by making recommendations that could be applicable globally and suggests how these could be implemented.'

My time at King's 

'My time at King's was extremely impactful. It continues to be a source of motivation for my resilience and hard work. It gave me greater faith in myself, and my capability to focus and pursue my goals. Even in the face of what may seem impossible odds. It made me believe in myself and catapulted me into dreaming even bigger dreams.'

The fulfillment of writing the book

'I really needed to do something about the predicament of children dependent on incarcerated caregivers. Writing the book was both exciting and fulfilling because it was a culmination of my childhood pursuit.  

'To be honest, I was apprehensive about not getting the chance to fully share my recommendations with the world in my lifetime. What I'm most proud of is witnessing someone read my thoughts and knowing that this book will outlive me. It makes me feel like "Indeed, I was here". That's very rewarding.'

The impact

'My book has achieved a global reach, having been published in both the UK and USA. At the national level, I sit in the Children Court, a role partially facilitated by my base at the Judiciary Training Institute. Using the recommendations in my book, I have taught my colleagues and other players in the criminal justice system how to practically protect dependent children from the ripple effects of the caregivers' incarceration. The book has completely changed the way Kenyan judicial officers approach sentencing and evoked an avalanche of research in the area among university students.’

Feeling inspired by Alice's story? Explore the various options available at King’s for postgraduate law studies.