Suicide cases on the rise, warn police

By Cyrus Ombati

More Kenyans committed suicide this year than last year. A new police report says the cases rose from 221 in 2007 to 266..

The number of people murdered also rose to 1,851 from 1,769. These statistics do not include those killed in the post-election violence since most of the deaths were not officially reported.

More infants have been killed this year compared to last year. The report also shows fewer abortions were secured. About 14 cases were reported compared to last year’s 37. Commissioner of Police Maj-Gen Hussein Ali says 2008 was generally a good year in the force’s scorecard. According to the report, no bank robbery was recorded in 2008. Several attempts were made but the police commissioner says the moves were averted following intelligence reports. "Suspects were either killed or arrested before they could execute their plans," he said.

Releasing the crime report, Ali said cases of vehicle theft, breaking-ins and malicious damage to property were higher than in 2007. Generally, crime incidents reduced by four per cent. A total of 57,198 cases were reported from January to November, compared to 59,379 last year.

Police say 3,056 robbery incidents were reported compared to 3,295 in 2007. There were 1,244 motor theft cases in the period under review compared to last year’s 1,153, while cases of stock theft rose to 2,006 from 1,464.

The statistics show an increase in criminal damage cases from 2,601 to 3,460, while incidents of theft by servant went up by 143 cases from the 2,045 cases reported last year. Fatal road accidents rose to 2,179 from 1,969 cases. Drug trafficking and abuse dropped from 5,155 cases to 3,888.

Economic Crimes

The report also said rape incidences dropped to 627 from 841. Assault cases also went down from last year’s 16,735 cases to 14,809. There was a slight drop in economic crimes from 1,820 to 1,705.

Defilement cases dropped to 1,626 from 1,875. Cases of abduction dropped by 103 from last year’s 168, while arson rose to 1,419 from 434. However, the unrest in Somalia saw the increase of crime in northern Kenya, especially Mandera. Ali blamed Somali’s Al-Shaabab militants for most crimes in the area. To deal with the militants, more security personnel have been deployed.

Vigilance

Some 664 guns, 7,138 ammunitions and 174 explosives were recovered in the period under review. Cases of drug trafficking, possession, consumption and cultivation dropped due to enhanced vigilance. Nairobi residents committed the highest traffic offences and accounted for 60 per cent of fines. They paid Sh260,842,201 out of the Sh433,749, 523 collected countrywide. Due to repairs and rehabilitation of many roads, Ali said motorists took advantage of their good state to speed. More people were killed due to dangerous driving under the influence of alcohol, probably the reason police fought to bring back on the spot testing of motorists for excessive consumption of alcohol.

Overall road accidents reduced by 15 per cent from 9,468 incidents to 8,063. Illegal gangs such as Mungiki and Saboat Land Defence Force continued to terrorise wananchi. One of the major breakthroughs was the seizure of nine kilos of uranium in Nairobi’s Uthiru estate.

New Threat

Ali says this is a unique cr ime that poses a big challenge to the region. Eight similar deadly cargo are reported to be missing from safe custody in DRC. Congolese envoy to Kenya has written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to thank police for the seizure of the material, which is used in making explosives.

Two foreigners, who were arrested while trying to sell the uranium, have been charged. Bwambale Nason Ndyabo, a Ugandan and David Juma Osoma, Congolese, were charged with being in possession of uranium and are still in police custody. The cases will be heard in the New Year.