Financial Crime World

Kenya’s Financial Crimes on the Rise: Statistics Show 19% Increase from Last Year

Amidst tough economic times, Kenya has witnessed a surge in financial crimes, with reported cases crossing the 100,000 mark for the first time.

Crime Statistics

According to the latest figures from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the total number of reported crime cases increased by 19%, reaching 104,842 in 2023.

  • Total reported crime cases: 104,842, an increase of 19% from the previous year.

Types of Financial Crimes

Theft

  • Theft cases: Increased by 25.9% to 18,534.

Robberies

  • Robbery cases: Increased by 27.76% to 3,988.

Staff Theft and Stock Theft

  • Staff theft cases: Increased by 12.8% to 1,907.
  • Stock theft cases: Increased by 6.7% to 2,392.

Economic Situation in 2023

Kenyans faced challenging circumstances in 2023, with inflation averaging 7.7% and the rising cost of goods and services making life harder at a time when job opportunities were already thinning.

  • Unemployment: The massive job losses could lead to increased crime rates as the unemployed population might be forced to resort to criminal activities to survive.
  • Prison Population: The surge in reported crimes also affected the country’s prison system, with the inmate population climbing by 20.6% to 248,061 last year.

Counties with the Most Significant Increases in Crime Rates

  • Narok: Reported a 89.2% spike in crime rates.
  • Kakamega: Reported a 67% spike in crime rates.
  • Vihiga, Nandi, Murang’a, and Kwale: Reported a significant increase in crimes.

Types of Crimes

Homicides

  • Homicides: Decreased marginally from 3,056 in 2022 to 3,031.

Attacks on Tourists and Police Officers

  • Tourist attack cases: Increased by 161.5% to 68.
  • Crimes involving police officers: Increased by 133.7% to 180.

Economic Crimes

  • Economic crimes (fraud, swindling, and money laundering): Increased by 13% to 4,970 last year.

Conclusion

As the focus on national security heightens, this data underscores the urgent need for effective measures to address financial crimes and support the vulnerable population, particularly in the current economic context.