ANNUAL CRIME REPORT

FOR THE YEAR 2008

INTRODUCTION
A review of the security situation in the country in 2008 presents distinctively
contradictory scenarios between the extreme violence experienced during the
post-election violence in the period January to March 2008, and the aftermath
of between March and December that recorded a significant reduction in all
categories of crime.

In 2007, the country experienced the largest reduction in crime since

independence as crime trends reduced by 13%. This was the first time in the
history of Kenya that the prevalence of crime decreased by double digits.

In 2008 in the immediate aftermath of the post- election violence, the trends of
crime in the country reduced by 4%. This would obviously have been better
had the crime and violence that occurred in the post-election period been
avoided. However, we are encouraged by the relatively short time it took the
country to resume on a solid footing and the fact that the country has not
experienced a continuation of the violence or indeed any lingering effects. Thus,
the country was able to move on fairly quickly.

In 2008, the country recorded a total of 57,198 criminal incidents down from
59,379 crimes committed in 2007. This translates to a decrease of 2,181 cases
or a 4% reduction in national crime. In our comparative provincial round up
Nairobi recorded the best improvement with 31% reduction in crime, followed
by Rift Valley and Eastern Provinces. Increased trends of crime was noted in
Central, Coast, Nyanza, North Eastern and Western Provinces.

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In the period under review, serious crimes that include robbery, murder, car-
jackings, thefts, corruption, dangerous drugs, offence against morality,
offences against persons and economic crimes declined across the country
while theft of stock, criminal damage, theft by servant, stealing and breaking
increased.

In 2008, the country experienced one trans-national when three nuns were
abducted in Elwak and taken to Somalia , a few incidents of attempts to traffic
in narcotic drugs through JKIA were also reported. However no incidents of
hijackings or terrorism were reported.

Whereas a lot of progress has been achieved and large percentages of IDPs
have been resettled without any criminal incidents, the country is yet to
recover fully from the effects of post-election violence.

CAUSES OF REDUCTION IN CRIME

The overall reduction in crime is attributed to sustained Police action to
prevent criminal activities during and shortly after the Post Election violence.
Construction of new Police Stations, Police Posts and Patrol bases in Rift Valley
and other provinces increased Police presence and further helped to contain
the situation. In addition special operations in hot spot areas like Mt. Elgon,
Mandera, Borabu and Trans Nzoia helped in returning normalcy.
PROVINCIAL SUMMARY
A summary of the Provincial trends is as follows:
PROVINCE CASES REDUCTION
a. Nairobi 1,890 31 %
b. Rift valley 3,388 28%,
c. Eastern 213 2%.

PROVINCE CASES INCREASE

a. Central 1,573 1.6%
b. Coast 1,071 1.4%

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 c. Nyanza 555 0.8%
d. NEP 50 0.7%
e. Western 61 0.1%.

TRENDS OF CRIME
Decreases. The decrease in criminal cases was noted in the following
categories;
Category 2007 2008 Decrease
a. Corruption 176 126 28
b. Dangerous Drugs 5155 3,888 25
c. Offences against morality 3500 2,727 22
d. Other Offences against persons16735 14,809 12
e. Vehicle and other thefts 1,153 1,244 08
f. Robbery 3295 3,056 07
g. Economic Crimes 1820 1,705 06
h. Homicide 1,769 1,851 05

Increases The increase in crime cases were noted in the following categories;
Category 2007 2008 Increase
a. Theft of stock 1,464 2,006 37
b. Criminal damage 2,601 3,460 33
c. Theft by servant 2,045 2,188 07
d. Breaking 5,953 6,027 01

SYNOPSIS SERIOUS CRIMES

Among the notable cases at the beginning of the year were the murders of two
Members of Parliament, the late Hon. Mugabe Were of Embakasi and Hon.
David Kimutai Too of Ainamoi. In both incidents suspects were arrested and
arraigned in court.

Among the other serious cases undertaken include the dismantling of a cartel
involved in the production of counterfeit travel documents and human

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trafficking. Two suspects were arrested and more than 100 passports of
different countries recovered.

POLICE STRATEGIC FOCUS

The main focus in 2008 in crime prevention was the rapid response by
increasing mobile and foot patrols , an emphasis on intelligence-led crime
prevention, neutralization of organized crime syndicates, eradication of crimes
of violence involving the use of firearms such as car-jacking and robberies and
community policing. The major focus through the year was to prevent
anything that may threaten the safety or security of any individual or
community, investigate all crimes and ensure criminals are brought to justice.
Police formation at all levels also and participated in efforts to address the root
causes of crime.

CAUSE OF INSECURITY
A wide range of factors that have adversely affected internal security in 2008
include the following:
a. Negative Ethnicity.
Tribal conflicts fuelled by ethnic incitement remains the cause of serious
conflicts as experienced in Mandera, Mt Elgon and parts of the Rift Valley
in competition over land, pasture and water. The same ethnic bigotry
was evident during the post-election violence. The areas most adversely
affected by the frequency of negative ethnic incitements in 2008 were Rift
valley, Western, Nyanza and Nairobi Provinces.

b. Organized Crime.
Operations against criminal gangs like Mungiki were sustained in 2008.
Arrests of sect members involved in crime were recorded in Nairobi,
Central and Rift-valley provinces. Throughout the year isolated cases of
brutal murder attributed to the criminal gang were reported. Although
fewer cases of Mungiki murders were reported this year as compared to

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the year 2007, their activities remain a serious threat to internal
security.

c. Cattle Rustling.
The frequency of cattle rustling in 2008 continued in West Pokot,
Turkana, Marsabit, Trans-Nzoia, Laikipia and Baringo. In the months of
October to November a joint security operation in Mandera and
surrounding areas netted 316 illegal firearms. In addition, Transmara,
Uasin Gishu, Kuria Districts and Buret recorded isolated cases of stock
theft. Security operations to recover illegal firearms and improve security
in these areas will continue.

e. Proliferation of Firearms.
The proliferation of small arms from neighbouring countries with internal
strife, especially Somalia and Southern Sudan continues to adversely
affect internal security.

f. Sexual Offences.
Offences involving sexual violence on women and minors were witnessed
during the Post Election violence. The Kenya Police formed a Task Force
to reinforce investigations and bring the perpetrators to justice.

g. Land.
Conflicts over scare land for settlement have continued to be a major
underlying cause breakdown of law and order in several areas. Crime
analysis has revealed a functional relationship between land conflicts,
post election violence, criminal gang activities in Mount Elgon and
stealing of livestock in several parts of Rift Valley.

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POLICE STRATEGIES

To manage crime in the country the Kenya Police employed the following
strategies;-

a. Early intervention, crime prevention, a greater utilization of intelligence

in policing.
b. Expedited investigation and prosecution of cases.
c. Proactive security operations in crime prone areas to Mandera and
Mount Elgon.
d. Utilizing communal intervention of local peace committees instituted by
the Government to forge peaceful co-existence and reduce tensions
between the communities.
e. Training in forensics investigations.
f. Aerial patrols, surveillance and criminal intelligence collection.
g. Creation of public awareness on the crime through community policing.
h. Increased Police visibility through the construction additional of Police
facilities( 35 Police Stations were constructed in Rift Valley alone)

TRAFFIC
In 2008, the government completed the rehabilitation of several major
highways. Unfortunately, Kenyan drivers have taken advantage of the newly
refurbished road to over speed causing an increase in the number of fatal road
accidents. Nairobi City experienced increased incidents of traffic jam due to an
increase in the number of motor vehicles on our roads. A long term strategy
should be put in place to regulate the transport system in the country and
expand the existing road network.

Over all, the total number of road accidents decreased by 15 % from 9,468
Cases to 8,063. However there was an increase in the number of fatal road
accidents by 8% from 1969 in the same period in 2007 to 2179 in 2008. There
was a 3% increase in incidents of causing death by dangerous driving.

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Traffic Fines.
The total amount of traffic fines imposed in 2008 was at Kshs. 433,749,523
which translates to a monthly average of Kshs. 39,431,775 in traffic fines. The
figures are a reflection of enforcement action by Police regarding the number of
offenders prosecuted. Nairobi alone accounted for 60 % of the total fines with
KShs. 260,842,201 million.

BORDER SECURITY
Kenya’s border with all her neighbours remained secure including entries into
the country through the Indian Ocean, Lake Victoria and our airports.
However there were a few cases of Somalia militiamen crossing over to commit
criminal offences.

The security deployment at the Kenya-Somalia border remains in place with

military and Police detachments deployed in areas stretching from Liboi to
Kiunga, in addition to a maritime presence.
The following notable incidents were recorded;-

a. Kenya - Somalia. Insecurity in Somalia has led to influx of refugees and

isolated crime incidents despite the government closing the border.
Islamic terrorists mainly Al-Shabaab and remnants of the Islamic Court
Union are responsible for incidents of insecurity within Mandera Central.
Kenya Police has deployed extra personnel and additional detachments
from the Kenya army to carry out surveillance and patrol.

b. Kenya - Sudan. Frequent raids targeted at Turkana by cattle raiders

(Toposas) from Southern Sudan has led to loss of lives and livestock.
These raids have impoverished the Turkana Community who are forced
to retaliate to recover their stolen animals.

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 c. Kenya - Ethiopia.
Compared to the same period in 2007, security along the Kenya-Ethiopia
border has improved. Joint security meetings between Kenya and
Ethiopian government officials have substantially improved
complimentary action to stem cross border crime.

MEDIA
The media has a responsibility to highlight events that influence the behaviour
and attitude of citizens to observe the rule of law, rather than subvert the law.

The media plays a crucial role in shaping the attitudes and perception of the
citizenry because crime is much an issue of perceptions as it is one of fact.

The creation of the Media Council will serve to ensure the media reports
objectively and impartially. Unfortunately, during the campaign this was not
the case and sections of the media illustrated a singular inability at self-
regulation, even as the media demands the same from others in society.

Even worse is the complicity of the media in inciting ethnic hatred. We all
know the role of the so-called free media in the Rwandan genocide with Radio
Mill Collines. The propensity to sacrifice objective journalism at the altar of
commercialism invites skewed coverage that does not distinguish between
news articles and commentaries that reflect a writer’s personal opinion. It
would be unfortunate if what is true yields to that which is sellable.

But having said that, the media remains central in shaping attitudes and
opinions. This is particularly important in a country like Kenya whose reading
culture in often limited to newspapers and the populace is therefore more
gullible and less discerning.

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COMMENDATION
I wish to commend all Police officers wherever they are serving our country for
their commitment and dedication protecting the lives and property of our
citizens, for maintaining law and order and enforce the rule of law during the
challenging period the country went through and to encourage them to work
even harder in the future as provided for in law.

In particular, I wish to pay tribute to the memory of all the officers who paid
the ultimate sacrifice and died in the line of duty as they served their country.
We honour their memory and salute their selfless sacrifice in the service of the
country.

CONCLUSION
2008 presented unique challenges in internal security, it is the year Kenyans
saw adults committing murder on TV screens, when our children watched as
grown ups looted buildings, burn down public and private vehicles and dance
to the glow of the fires they has ignited. It is the year that women and children
were locked in a church and murdered in the most violent manner.

In Kenya Police, we have studied all the circumstances surrounding these

unfortunate occurrences and we are committed to apply every lesson learnt to
ensure that in future we work in one accord with all law abiding Kenyans to
assert the sanctity of life, protect the right to property and execute our legal
mandate in a manner that will make the rule of law an heritage in this country.

Major Gen. H. Ali, M.G.H., M.B.S.

Commissioner of Police.

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 CRIME DATA
COMPARATIVE CRIME FIGURES 2007-2008
CATEGORIES OF
Ser CRIMES OFFENCES 2007 2008 DIFF % Diff
a. Murder 1,154 1,248 94 8
b. Manslaughter 43 27 -16 -37
HOMICIDE c. Infanticide 18 28 10 56
d. Procuring Abortion 37 23 -14 -38
1 e. Concealing Birth 109 67 -42 -39
f. Suicide 221 266 45 20
g. Causing Death by dangerous driving 187 192 5 3

Sub-Total 1,769 1,851 82 5

Rape 841 627 -214 -25
Defilement 1,875 1,626 -249 -13
Incest 174 115 -59 -34
Unnatural offences/sodomy 189 146 -43 -23
OFFENCES AGAINIST Bestiality 63 21 -42 -67
2 MORALITY Indecent assault 184 115 -69 -38
Abduction 168 65 -103 -61
Bigamy 6 12 6 100

Sub-Total 3,500 2,727 -773 -22

Assault 11,315 10,323 -992 -9
Creating Disturbance 5,052 4,195 -857 -17
OTHER OFFENCES Affray 368 291 -77 -21
AGAINST PERSONS
Sub-Total 16,735 14,809 -1926 -12
Robbery 721 775 54 7
Robbery with Violence 2,490 2,154 -336 -13
4 ROBBERY Carjacking 41 87 46 112

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 Robbed of M/v 25 25 0 0
Cattle Rustling 18 15 -3 -17

Sub-Total 3,295 3,056 -239 -7

House Breaking 2,196 2,240 44 2
5 BREAKINGS Burglary 1,643 1,594 -49 -3
Other Breaking 2,114 2,193 79 4

Sub-Total 5,953 6,027 74 1

1,464 2,006 542 37

6 THEFT OF STOCK Sub- Total 1,464 2,006 542 37

Handling Stolen Property 326 383 57 17
7 STEALING Stealing from Person 1,329 1,060 -269 -20
Stealing by Tenants/lodgers 146 194 48 33
Stealing from a building 397 329 -68 -17
General Stealing 7,909 8,422 513 6

Sub-Total 10,107 10,388 281 3

Stealing by Directors 58 121 63 109
8 THEFT BY SERVANT Stealing by Agents 220 276 56 25
Stealing by employee/servant 1,767 1,791 24 1

Sub-Total 2,045 2,188 143 7

VEHICLE AND OTHER Theft of M/V 525 559 34 6
THEFTS Theft from M/V 203 205 2 1
9 Theft of M/V parts 271 274 3 1
Theft o f Motor cycle 154 206 52 34

Sub-Total 1,153 1,244 91 8

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 Possession 4,521 3,493 -1028 -23
10 DANGEROUS DRUGS Handling 69 53 -16 -23
Trafficking 217 164 -53 -24
Cultivating 151 64 -87 -58
Usage 197 114 -83 -42

Sub-Total 5,155 3,888 -1267 -25

Taking Vehicle without Lawful authority 36 65 29 81
11 TRAFFIC OFFENCES D/ in of Alcohol 4 35 31 775

Sub-Total 40 100 60 150

Malicious Damage 2,088 1,873 -215 -10
12 CRIMINAL DAMAGE Arson 434 1,419 985 227
Other Criminal Damage 54 116 62 115
Negligent Acts 25 52 27 108

Sub-Total 2,601 3,460 859 33

Obtaining by False Pretence 1,333 1,024 -309 -23
13 ECONOMIC CRIMES Currency Forgery 186 366 180 97
False Accounting 49 87 38 78
Other Fraud/Forgery Offences 252 228 -24 -10

Sub-Total 1,820 1,705 -115 -6

Soliciting for Bribe 47 84 37 79
14 CORRUPTION Accepting Bribe 9 8 -1 -11
Accepting Free Gifts 3 0 -3 -100
Demanding by false pretence 17 17 0 0
Other Corruption Offences 100 17 -83 -83

Sub-Total 176 126 -50 -28

15 OFFENCES INVOLVING Soliciting for Bribe 19 12 -7 -37
POLICE OFFICERS Accepting Bribe 1 3 2 200

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 Accepting Free Gifts 0 1 1 0
Demanding by false pretence 0 5 5 0
Other Criminal Offences 12 10 -2 -17

Sub-Total 32 31 -1 -3
OFFENCES INVOLVING Bag Snatching 6 3 -3 -50
16 TOURIST Other offences Against tourists 1 2 1 100
Other Offences Involving Tourists 1 1 0 0

Sub-Total 8 6 -2 -25
OTHER PENAL CODE
17 OFFENCES Other penal code offences 3,526 3,586 60 2

TOTAL 59379 57,198 -2,181 -4

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 COMPARATIVE CRIME FIGURES 2007-2008

MONTH 2007 2008 DIFFERENCE % CHANGE

JANUARY
6,197 4,410 -1,787 -29
FEBRUARY
6,303 4,782 -1,521 -24
MARCH
5,702 5,058 -644 -11
APRIL
5,026 4,957 -69 -1
MAY
5,214 6,216 1,002 19
JUNE
4,410 4,794 384 9
JULY
5,232 6,355 1,123 21
AUGUST
5,949 4,982 -967 -16
SEPTEMBER
5,489 5,448 -41 -1
OCTOBER
5,157 5,693 536 10
NOVEMBER
4,700 4,503 -197 -4

TOTAL 59,379 57,198 -2,181 -4

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 COMPARATIVE CRIME FIGURES BY PROVINCE 2007-2008

PROVINCE 2007 2008 DIFFERENCE % CHANGE

NAIROBI
6,144 4,254 -1890 -31
RIFT VALLEY
12,081 8,743 -3,338 -28
CENTRAL
9,535 11,108 1,573 16
EASTERN
9,001 8,788 -213 -2
NYANZA
7,221 7,776 555 8
COAST
7,665 8,736 1071 14
WESTERN
6,551 6,612 61 1
NEP
758 808 50 7
RAILWAYS
144 113 -31 -22
KAPU
279 260 -19 -7

TOTAL 59,379 57,198 -2,181 -4

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 COMPARATIVE MONTHLY CRIME FIGURES FOR THE MONTHS OF JANUARY-OCTOBER 2008

7,000

6,303 6,355
6,197 6,216
6,000 5,949
5,702 5,489 5,693

5,026 5,214 5,232 5,448 5,157

5,000 5,058 4,982
NO. OF CRIMES REPORTED

4,782 4,957 4,794

4,410 4,410
4,000
2007
2008
3,000

2,000

1,000

0
Y

AY
Y

IL

LY

R
H

ST

R
AR
AR

BE
C

BE
R

JU

U
M

JU
AR

AP

G
U
U

EM

TO
BR
N

AU
M

C
JA

PT
FE

O
SE

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 COMPARATIVE CRIME FIGURES FOR THE MONTHS OF JANUARY-NOVEMBER
2008

3586, 6%
6, 0%
31, 0% HOMICIDE
126, 0% OFFENCES AGAINST MORALITY
1705, 3% OTHER OFFENCES AGAINST PERSONS
3460, 6% ROBBERY
1851, 3% 2727, 5% BREAKING
100, 0%
THEFT OF STOCK
3888, 7%
14809, 26% STEALING
1244, 2%
THEFT BY SERVANT
VEHICLE AND OTHER THEFTS
DANGEROUS DRUGS
2188, 4%
TRAFFIC OFFENCES
3056, 5% CRIMINAL DAMAGE
10388, 18%
2006, 4% 6027, 11% ECONOMIC CRIMES
CORRUPTION
OFFENCES INVOLVING POLICE OFFICERS
OFFENCES INVOLVING TOURIST
OTHER PENAL CODE OFFENCES

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 COMPARATIVE PROVINCIAL CRIME FIGURES FOR THE MONTHS OF JANUARY-
NOVEMBER 07/08

14,000

12,081
12,000 11,108

9,535
10,000 9,001
8,743
NO. OF CRIMES REPORTED

8,736
8,788
7,776
8,000 7,221 7,665
6,612
6,551
6,144 2007
2008
6,000
4,254

4,000

2,000
758 808
144
113 279 260

0
NAIROBI RIFT CENTRAL EASTERN NYANZA COAST WESTERN NEP RAILWAYS KAPU
VALLEY

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 RECOVERY OF ILLEGAL FIREARMS -2008

PROVINCES PISTOLS RIFFLES TOY PISTOLS AMMUNITIONS EXPLOSIVES

NAIROBI
107 17 162 526 107
CENTRAL 11 23 5 1216 11
NYANZA 7 16 4 208 7
WESTERN 13 116 17 1,393 17
COAST 11 7 5 690 11
RVP 6 7 4 94 6
EASTERN 5 2 3 19 5
NEP 2 314 0 2992 10

TOTAL 162 502 200 7138 174

N.B
Western and North Eastern Recoveries include the two disarmament operations carried out during the year.

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