Kenya records over 1,000 homicides as family and community conflicts rise
Nairobi County reported the highest number of cases at 80, followed by Kilifi with 47, Homa Bay with 42, and Kiambu and Narok tied at 41 each.
Kenya has recorded 1,011 homicide cases in a year, with family disputes, community conflicts, and a rising culture of violence cited as key drivers, a recent study reveals.
The research by the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC) highlights that most victims were attacked by people they knew, and the majority were male.
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Nairobi County reported the highest number of cases at 80, followed by Kilifi with 47, Homa Bay with 42, and Kiambu and Narok tied at 41 each.
The study aimed to analyse homicide trends, identify underlying causes, and evaluate whether the criminal justice system’s preventive and response measures are effective across 15 counties, including Vihiga, Busia, Kakamega, Embu, Isiolo, Homa Bay, Kisii, Kisumu, Nakuru, Narok, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kiambu, Nyeri, and Nairobi.
The research relied on detailed records from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which included comprehensive information about each incident.
"These detailed accounts made it possible to undertake various analyses that would not be possible with annual summary statistics," the study notes.
A breakdown across all 47 counties shows Garissa had 12 homicides, Mandera 8, Wajir 4, Embu 38, Kitui 35, Meru 28, Machakos 21, Makueni 20, Tharaka Nithi 15, Isiolo 7, Marsabit 2, Migori 40, Kisumu 32, Kisii 28, Siaya 22, Nyamira 18, Kwale 26, Tana River 27, Mombasa 25, Lamu 8, Taita-Taveta 8, Vihiga 27, Bungoma 22 and Busia 8.
Kakamega had 29 homicides, Murang’a 26, Nyeri 16, Kirinyaga 6, Nyandarua 4, Trans-Nzoia 37, Nakuru 29, Bomet 21, Turkana 19, Elgeyo-Marakwet 18, Baringo 15, Kajiado 17, Kericho 12, Laikipia 5, Nandi 4, Uasin Gishu 6, and Samburu 12.
The study indicates that 70 per cent of victims were male and 30 per cent female, while the majority of perpetrators were male; 630 male perpetrators versus 88 female. In 149 cases, the perpetrator could not be identified.
Overall, 82.8 per cent of suspected attackers were known to the victims, according to police records.
"Given the gravity of homicide, it is reasonable to conclude that these incidents provide a fair picture of the problem. Of course, there are other cases that never reach the police and go unreported," the report titled Homicides in Kenya observes.
The study recommends strengthening police investigations, enhancing forensic capacity, boosting the Directorate of Homicide Investigations, and operationalising the National Coroners Service Act.
"While Kenya enacted the National Coroners Service Act of 2017 to provide a framework for investigating and determining the causes of sudden, unexplained and unnatural deaths, it has yet to be operationalised.
The Act needs to be implemented and the service established to address gaps in determining such deaths," the report adds.
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