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This study sought to examine the influence of children's characteristics on the performance of Kenyan juvenile rehabilitation centers. The study was influenced by the Social Disorganization Theory. It also adopted a correlational research design involving a mixed-method approach in both data collection and data analysis. The population consisted of 64 staff working in 6 juvenile rehabilitation institutions in Nakuru County and 409 children admitted to these institutions. Purposive sampling techniques were employed to select the respondents leading to a sample size of 10 staff members and 42 juvenile children. The research instruments were a questionnaire and an interview guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using percentages, frequencies, Pearson correlation independent sample t-test, and ANOVA. Qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic content analysis technique. The results established that the age and gender of the children did not have a significant influence on performance but the children's socio-economic background and family support had a significant influence. The study recommended that the family should be engaged in the rehabilitation process of the children