Kenya’s National Police Service (NPS) Annual Crime Report for 2017 presented a paradox for the country’s security landscape, revealing a slight stabilization in the overall rate of violent crimes despite a year dominated by the contentious General Election. While official statistics indicated a marginal decrease in total violent crimes compared to the previous year, the period was marked by unique challenges, exposing vulnerabilities within the security apparatus and society. The data confirms that key players—the National Police Service, the NCRC (National Crime Research Centre), and political actors—were operating under immense pressure, with the security situation dictated less by common criminal trends and more by the volatile political calendar and its immediate aftermath. The report’s findings underscore the deep linkage between socio-political stability and public safety, casting a shadow over the otherwise positive overall decline.
A deeper analysis of the data reveals that the slight national decrease masked significant regional and categorical spikes. The year saw property-related offences, including burglary, theft, and cattle rustling, maintain a strong upward trend, while robbery and general stealing remained highly prevalent in urban centres like Nairobi. Critically, the political environment fueled a sharp, albeit temporary, surge in crimes against persons, specifically homicide and assault, linked directly to the tensions, protests, and civil unrest surrounding the two election cycles. The NCRC analysis noted that these instances of violence were often aggravated by underlying socioeconomic pressures, such as high unemployment, which pushed individuals toward desperate or violent acts, particularly during periods of political instability.
The reaction to the 2017 security situation was sharply polarised, particularly regarding the conduct of the law enforcement agencies tasked with maintaining order. While the overall police strategy was credited with improving security infrastructure and community engagement, the year was marred by extensive human rights concerns. Reports from local and international NGOs alleged numerous cases of unlawful killings and the use of excessive force by security forces during election-related protests and counter-terror operations along the Somali border. This dual reality—a slight statistical drop in violent crime versus serious institutional misconduct—highlighted a critical flaw in Kenya’s push for a safer society. Moving forward, observers and analysts agree that the focus must shift beyond mere crime statistics to achieving police accountability, strengthening the rule of law, and tackling the root causes of economic distress to build a truly resilient and secure nation.