Kenya recorded a decline in crime in 2024, with the total number of reported cases falling from 104,842 in 2023 to 101,220 — a 3.5 per cent decrease, according to the 2025 Economic Survey.
The report highlights a general reduction across most crime categories reported to the police, with the exception of three: criminal damage (up by 0.8 per cent), offences involving police officers (up by 36.7 per cent), and other penal code offences (up by 16 per cent).
Nairobi City recorded the highest number of reported crimes, accounting for 9.6 per cent (9,717 cases) of the national total. It was followed by Kiambu County with 8,865 cases (8.8 per cent) and Meru County with 5,487 cases (5.4 per cent).
The number of individuals reported to have committed crimes also saw a slight decline, falling by 1.1 per cent from 104,390 in 2023 to 103,256 in 2024.
The most significant reductions were seen in traffic offences and crimes involving tourists, which declined by 58.4 per cent and 42.6 per cent, respectively.
Crimes classified as “other offences against persons” and theft collectively made up 42 per cent of all reported cases.
Marsabit County recorded the highest percentage increase in crime, with a 41 per cent rise in cases. Other counties that experienced notable increases include Narok (34.3 per cent), West Pokot (28.6 per cent), and Migori (23.2 per cent).
Conversely, Taita Taveta, Trans Nzoia, and Machakos counties registered the most significant declines in reported crimes, dropping by 32.4 per cent, 22.1 per cent, and 15.7 per cent, respectively.
The prison population also declined in 2024. The total number of convicted prisoners dropped by 23.6 per cent, from 80,071 in 2023 to 61,175. Convicted adults (aged 18 and above) declined by 23.9 per cent to 60,641. However, the number of convicted juveniles rose slightly, from 418 in 2023 to 534 in 2024.
In terms of firearms, police recovered 104 illegally held weapons in 2024, down from 179 in 2023. Voluntary firearm surrenders also dropped, with 31 handed in compared to 117 the previous year. Ammunition recoveries, however, increased significantly — 4,548 rounds were recovered in 2024, up from 2,248 in 2023.
