Revealed: Nairobi City leads in crime cases

Nairobi records the highest crime cases in Kenya, even as national incidents decline by 5.1%. [File Courtesy]

Nairobi County leads in the number of crimes reported across the country, which witnessed an overall 5.1 per cent drop.

According to the Economic Survey 2026, the capital was last year hit by 9,958 incidents recorded in police stations, where officers have been grappling with insecurity, prompting the formation of the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit to salvage the situation amid growing concerns over the presence of boda boda riding criminals.

Further, the situation is threatening to spiral out of control following the re-emergence of organised criminal gangs ahead of the General Election next year.

In 2024, about 9,717 crimes were reported in the city. The Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit, to be headed by former Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Tom Odero, in collaboration with the National Police Service, is expected to bring crime levels down.

Among the frequent crimes recorded by police in the capital city include homicide, robbery, breaking, stealing, motor vehicle theft, drugs and traffic offences.

Alarmed by deteriorating security, President William Ruto on February 17, 2026, directed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to create the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit, arguing that the capital city’s security was non-negotiable.

Bodaboda riders rough up a suspect who was found robbing a shop within Nairobi's CBD. [File, Standard]

“We will make, and we must make Nairobi safe for citizens, visitors, investors, and businesses alike,” said President Ruto. The new unit was expected to be operational this month.

Generally, some 96,038 crimes were reported last year as compared to 101,220 incidents recorded the previous year. This translated to a 5.1 per cent drop in the number of crimes reported to the police station.

Apart from Nairobi, other counties that recorded a high number of crimes are Kiambu 7,364, Meru (5,534), Nakuru (4,719), Machakos (4,200), Kisii (3,129), Murang’a (3,018), Kitui (2,886), Bungoma (2,568), Kisumu (2,548), Mombasa (2,541), Kilifi (2,397), Kajiado (2,340), Nyeri (2,334), Kakamega (2,234), and Makueni 2,151.

Tana River recorded the fewest cases at 359, followed by Samburu (382), Mandera (419), Wajir (425), Lamu (453), Isiolo (631), West Pokot (650), Taita Taveta (748), Elgeyo Marakwet (751), Marsabit (847), while Garissa reported a total of 855 crimes.

During the period, there was a recovery of 361 rifles, 39 pistols, and 27 toy pistols, while some 1,288 rifles and three pistols were surrendered to security agencies that also recovered 3,554 rounds of ammunition, with 3,617 being surrendered.

In 2024, only 29 rifles and two pistols were surrendered. The high number of firearms surrendered last year is attributed to the voluntary surrender of illegal firearms, especially in the North Rift.