Manipulative of Courtroom Language: Implication on Children In Conflict With the Law, Eldoret Court, Kenya

This paper focuses on the the implications of the manipulative nature of courtroom language on children in conflict with the law. The study adopted a descriptive design method because the variables were not manipulated. The study was carried out in the children’s court in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. This is because Eldoret is close to the researcher and also being the major towns in North Rift region, the courts around have cases involving children that they handle. Therefore the research would also benefit the other courts across the country. The main instruments of data collection were audio recordings of the court proceedings and interview schedules of children’s advocate both the prosecution and the defense attorney. The target population was children of 8 to 15 years old. From the analyses it is established. The children in conflict with the law usually find it hard to participate fully in a trial due to the nature of the courtroom language. The study recommends that the government to do a revision on the guidelines on how to do direct examination and cross examination of children in conflict with the law.