In 2016, the Kenya National Police Service recorded 76,986 crime cases, marking a 6% increase compared to 2015.
The rise was largely driven by a spike in non-violent crimes, including thefts, economic offenses, dangerous-drug related crimes, and criminal damage.
Meanwhile, some categories such as robbery and livestock theft saw slight declines.
Breaking it down further, possession and trafficking of drugs surged: possession alone increased by 12%, and trafficking jumped by 25%.
Other significant rises were seen in arson, breaking into homes, and obtaining by false pretence. On the other hand, homicide cases rose modestly by about 4%, while the report identified robbery as one of the few crime types that actually fell.
Geographically, Nairobi emerged as a hotspot, especially for vehicle theft and other thefts, with 195 such cases reported in the city, more than any other county.
National Police Service
Kiambu and Nakuru also featured prominently in some theft categories.
National Police Service
Implications and Challenges
The 2016 data paints a concerning picture about Kenya’s crime dynamics. The increase in economic crimes and drug offenses suggests that organized criminal networks and substance abuse were becoming more entrenched. These trends imply deeper social and economic issues, including poverty, unemployment, and perhaps gaps in enforcement or preventive policing.
On the positive side, the drop in robbery and livestock theft might point to some success in deterrence strategies—possibly due to targeted policing or community involvement. However, the overall increase in total crime cases indicates that law enforcement facing growing pressure to adapt.