Wajir was the safest county in 2024, KNBS report shows

Wajir has emerged as the safest county in Kenya, recording the lowest number of criminal incidents in 2024, according to the newly released Economic Survey 2025 by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). The report shows that only 358 crimes were reported in Wajir during the year, placing it ahead of fellow northern counties Mandera and Lamu, which documented 373 and 401 incidents respectively. The findings come at a time when national crime levels dropped by 3.6 per cent to 101,220 cases, signalling improving stability across several regions.
The survey highlights a consistent pattern in which sparsely populated northern counties—among them Samburu, Tana River, Garissa and Isiolo—record comparatively fewer incidents, while more densely populated regions continue to face higher security demands. According to KNBS, the reduction in overall crime coincided with heightened law-enforcement activity, including the recovery of 179 illegal firearms and the seizure of more than 26,000 kilogrammes of dangerous drugs. Despite this progress, certain categories of offences saw an uptick, such as criminal damage, offences involving police officers, and broader penal code violations, suggesting evolving crime patterns even as general numbers fall.
Security analysts and county leaders have welcomed the report, noting that improved resource allocation, enhanced intelligence gathering and community policing initiatives appear to be contributing to safer environments. However, they caution that Kenya’s justice system continues to face pressure, with more than 516,000 cases filed in courts last year and over 635,000 still pending. As the government pushes forward with reforms and counties strengthen grassroots peace structures, experts predict that sustained collaboration between local communities, security agencies, and oversight bodies will be key to maintaining the positive trajectory. The findings, they say, provide both reassurance and a roadmap for counties seeking long-term stability and safer livelihoods for residents.