Murders, robberies on the rise as more police officers linked to crimes

Police officers are among criminals terrorising Kenyans, a report released by the Kenya Police Service Wednesday has revealed.

The report also says murder and robbery cases are on the rise. A lot of the crimes involve the use of firearms and ammunition held by criminals.

The report, which compares the first five months of the last three years, says there was a threefold increase in the number of officers reported to have been involved in various crimes. Between January and May 2011, 18 officers were charged with various crimes, but in 2012, only 14 officers were charged. However, the number increased to 48 this year, representing a 243 per cent increase.

Following the increase in the number of errant officers, Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo has said that specialised teams like the Special Crime Prevention Unit (SCPU) and crime intelligence personnel will be deployed in affected areas.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) and the Internal Affairs Unit of the Police Service are working together to crack down on errant officers in the wake of an increase in armed crimes especially in Nairobi and the surrounding areas.

“Where errant officers are reported, we will not hesitate to take action accordingly,” Mr Kimaiyo warned on Wednesday.

The report titled, ‘Kenya Police Service Comparative Figures’ shows that killings and robberies have increased in the last five months, while there has been a reduction in economic crimes and drug trafficking.

Cases of suicide

Out of 1,294 people killed between January and May this year, 869 were murdered, constituting about 64 per cent of the total number. Police reported 199 cases of suicide and 155 of death by dangerous driving.

However, there was a reduction in cases of stealing, motor vehicle thefts, other offences against persons, criminal damage, break-ins, theft of stock, offences against morality and theft by servant.

There was also a substantial reduction in the number of cases reported to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption commission (EACC) by about 51 per cent, from 7,326 in 2011 to 3,592 in 2012.

The highest number of crimes was reported in the Rift Valley, followed by Central, Nairobi and Eastern. Western, Coast North Eastern and Nyanza recorded significant reduction in crime.

According to the report, gang activities also increased in the period after the general election especially in Bungoma, Busia, Garissa and the Coast.

Most offenders were men although the number of women offenders reported almost doubled, while that of their male counterparts recorded a slight decline between 2011 and last year.

The number of women offenders almost doubled from 7,837 in 2011 to 14,518 last year while that of their male counterparts recorded at 6.6 per cent decline. Major increases among women offenders were noted in Eastern, Rift Valley and Central regions.

A total of 368 firearms were recovered in 2012 compared to 247 in 2011. There was also a steady decline in the number of ammunition recoveries from 16,388 in 2011 to 12,824 in 2012.

Largest decline

The number of persons reported to the police having committed offences went up in Central, while Nyanza registered the largest decline.

Police attribute the current trend of crime and insecurity to organised gangs, cattle rustling, proliferation of small arms and light weapons and inter-clan wars manifested by retaliatory attacks by armed militias.

Others are poverty, lack of jobs and cultural factors.

To fight crime, Mr Kimaiyo said the police will encourage the public to volunteer information. There will also be increased police presence in crime-prone areas.

Additional security in the form of police patrols and prompt attention to distress calls will also be established.