Slums and crime rate: case study of kangondo cell.

Abstract

The research was aimed at establishing whether slum areas in Kigali City have got a high rate of crimes and the possible causes. The study focused on; Kangondo Cell, in Nyarutarama Sector, Gasabo District as the case study. Qualitative research approach was used, sample size was chosen using purposeful sampling and data was collected using; interview, questionnaire, focus group discussion and documentary reviews. The research was mainly hinged on the model or theory of social structure and social learning (Akers as cited by G Lee et al. 2004, p.18). The theory generally indicates that the behavior of human beings is shaped by the social environment and conditions therein. I found it relevant to way slum conditions shape people mostly the youth to adopt criminal behavior. Research findings indicate that crime rates are high in the area of study and that major causes include; poverty, influence of drugs, degeneration of values and poor settlement patterns. Majority of the people in slums mostly the youth lack occupation, are redundant and end up in crimes for survival or under the influence of drugs. There is acute degeneration of values and morals in slums which leads to breakdown of social order; some slum dwellers no longer differentiate between wrong and right while others can hardly recognize or respect any basics of Rwandan norms. Basing on the above findings, several recommendations were made but all were resonating around the following pillars; relocating people in slums to standardized settlement quarters or places and social-economic interventions to uplift the wellbeing of underprivileged categories of urban communities who makes the bulk of the slum population. Rural development programs are also paramount to discourage the influx of rural-urban immigration.