Police statistics shows crime level down by 10 per cent between January and May

By Cyrus Ombati

NAIROBI, KENYA: Crime incidents decreased by ten percent between January and May this year as compared to those that happened in 2012.

This is despite the increase of incidents that have been reported in various parts of the country.

According to the police statistics released on Wednesday, there were 30,285 crimes that were reported between January and May as compared to the 33,538 cases that were recorded in the same period in 2012 and 31,055 in 2011.

The statistics showed there was an increase in cases of robbery and homicide with slight decreases in economic crimes, stealing, dangerous drugs, vehicle and other thefts, criminal damage, breaking, theft of stock, offenses against morality and theft by servant.

Between January and May, Rift Valley province recorded 7,598 crimes followed by Central’s 4,450, Eastern 4,279, Nairobi 3,765, Coast 3,658, Nyanza 3,061, Western 2,923 and airports 32 cases.

Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo said the crimes were committed by organised gangs, cattle rustling, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, inter tribal clashes, urbanisation and population growth, poverty, culture and religious characteristics.

“We have embarked on various strategies to address the problem which include prosecution of offenders and increased patrols,” said Kimaiyo.

The data shows there were 6,779 crimes committed last month, 6,427 in January, 5,802 in February, 5,422 in March and 5,855 in April.

The decline of the crimes in March has been attributed to the election period when most Kenyans were busy, Kimaiyo said.

Offences

There were more cases of offences involving police officers since January with 48 being recorded as compared to last year’s 14 and 2011’s 18 while murder increased to 869 this year as compared to the 732 that were recorded last year and 668 in 2011.

There have been 16 case of manslaughter since January this year, 18 procured abortions, 199 suicide cases as compared to the 205 that were recorded last year and 99 of 2011.

Between January and May 2013, there have been 133 cases of causing death by dangerous driving as compared to the 142 that were recorded in the same period last year and 150 in 2011.

Rape cases increased to 383 between January and May this year as compared to the 332 in 2012 and 297 in 2011 while defilement cases hit 1,216 in 2013 as compared to the 1,428 in 2012 and 1,291 in 2011.

The data further show incest cases hit 86 since January as compared to th 92 of last year and 118 of 2011 while there were five cases of bestiality since January, three the same period last year and six in 2011.

Some 24 cases of abduction have been reported this year so far as compared to the 35 that were recorded in 2012 and 25 in 2011 while cases of indecent assault hit 41 from the 67 that were recorded last year and 55 in 2011 in the same period.

There were 5,703 assault cases in the said period this year as compared to 6,310 last year and 6,396 in 2011 while robberies increased to 298 from 266 in 2012 and 319 in 2011.

Robbery with violence cases hit 1,179 this year in the same period as compared to last year’s 1,052 and 1,019 while police recorded 10 carjacking incidents this year, 17 last year and 13 in 2011.

Morality cases

Cases of theft of stock hit 871 this year in the period under study as compared to the 1,004 last year and 900 in 2011 while stealing cases hit 5,052 this year as compared to the 6,114 last year and 5,255 in 2011.

In general, there were 70,779 crimes in 2010, 72,255 in 2009 and 63,505 in 2008. The report economic crimes reduced by 51 percent in 2012 to hit 3,592 as compared to the 7,326 that were recorded in 2011.

In general there were 77,859 crimes that were reported in 2012 as compared to the 75,733 that were recorded in 2011.

There were 70,779 crimes in 2010, 72,255 in 209 and 63,505 in 2008. The report says  economic crimes reduced by 51 percent in 2012 to hit 3,592 as compared to the 7,326 that were recorded in 2011.

Crime is a major issue that affect economic development in any society and given to the current trend, there is a likelihood the incidents will increase by the end of the year.

The report says cases of morality hit 28,270 in 2012 as compared to the 25,809 in 2011 while robberies stood at 3,262 in both years.

Homicide increased from 2,641 in 2011 to 2,761 in 2012.