Year 11 Sociology Trip to Milimani Law Courts & Langata Police Station Visit

Year 11 Sociology students are nearing the end of our syllabus, and we had the unique opportunity to practically explore the topic of Crime and Deviance through visits to Milimani Court and Langata Police Station.

Milimani Court is one of Kenya’s most renowned judicial institutions, and we were privileged to be given a tour and a briefing on the daily operations of its offices. We observed real court proceedings and witnessed the implementation of formal social control through the judiciary in real-time. This experience was particularly engaging, as only days earlier, we had studied how governments use the penal system to prevent crime. Some of the cases we encountered were deeply moving; an emotional testimony by a woman who had been abused by police officers added a layer of complexity to our understanding of the justice system. It prompted us to critically reflect on how effective or morally justifiable these systems are. Trips like this are invaluable for Sociology students, as they provide insight into the nuanced definitions of “right” and “wrong,” which are often highly circumstantial.

Next, we visited Langata Police Station to learn about the subsequent stages of the penal system. Once individuals are convicted of crimes, they are processed by the police station, and we were struck by the gravity of how a conviction permanently marks a person’s record. Some of us even got to have our fingerprints taken by an officer (hopefully, for the last time!). This visit also gave us a deeper understanding of sociology beyond the classroom. For example, one of the officers showed us an e-cigarette confiscated from a boy no older than seven or eight, which contained a mix of dangerous drugs, including heroin. Instead of focusing on punishment, the station prioritised understanding how the boy came into possession of the e-cigarette and took steps toward his rehabilitation. This moment underscored the delicate balance between justice and mercy—an idea we had been studying in class.

Overall, it is safe to say that everyone returned to school having gained a wealth of new knowledge and perspective. While being in Year 11 often feels like we are solely preparing for our IGCSEs, today’s experience was a powerful reminder of how what we learn can equip us to contribute to a better , more compassionate world.

Amie Katta

Year 11 Sociology student