Kenya: crime and justice

What is the homicide rate in Kenya?

The National Police Service recorded 3,015 homicide cases in Kenya in 2024, according to the National Crime Research Centre's Study on Homicides in Kenya. The police category includes murder, manslaughter, infanticide and causing death by dangerous driving. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations, using a narrower legal definition, recorded 1,011 homicides. The study cites a UNODC rate for Kenya of 4.87 per 100,000 people, against an African regional rate of 10.94.

The two police counts differ because the National Police Service figure includes road deaths caused by dangerous driving and other categories handled by different units. Rates per 100,000 people allow comparison across countries and years. National Police Service counts rose from 2,771 in 2017 to a peak of 3,284 in 2021 and were 3,031 in 2023, the study shows.

Official sources: National Crime Research Centre: Study on Homicides in Kenya, 2025

How many women are killed in Kenya?

30% of the 1,011 homicide victims recorded by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in 2024 were women and girls, and 70% were male, according to the National Crime Research Centre's Study on Homicides in Kenya. Of known perpetrators, 630 were male and 88 female; in 149 cases the perpetrator was not known. The study found that most women victims were killed by people close to them, such as husbands, partners and relatives, and many in private settings such as homes and rented flats.

The study was commissioned after public concern about killings of women in 2024. Men were most victims overall, and more often killed by strangers during robberies or mob violence. The Centre's figures come from police records, so killings not reported to police are not included.

Official sources: National Crime Research Centre: Study on Homicides in Kenya, 2025

How many Kenyans are victims of crime?

Over 50% of Kenyans said they had been direct victims of crime in the previous year, according to the National Crime Research Centre's National Crime Victimization Survey. Property-related crimes and offences against persons were the most common. The survey links victimisation to unemployment, illicit alcohol, drugs and substance abuse, weak law enforcement and corruption in some criminal justice agencies.

Victimisation surveys ask people directly about crimes they experienced, so they include crimes never reported to the police and give higher counts than police records. The survey listed on the Centre's site is the 2023 edition. The Centre publishes county crime data and other reports on its reports pages.

Official sources: National Crime Research Centre: National Victimization Survey · National Crime Research Centre

How many cases are pending in Kenyan courts?

Kenya's case backlog, meaning cases older than one year, fell from 272,678 to 244,267 in the 2024/2025 financial year, according to the Judiciary. Courts resolved 647,686 cases against 621,425 new filings, a case clearance rate of 104%. Chief Justice Martha Koome gave the figures on 3 July 2026 at the release of the 2024/2025 Performance Management and Measurement Understanding evaluation report.

A clearance rate above 100% means courts finished more cases than were filed, which reduces the stock of pending cases. The Chief Justice named inadequate infrastructure, staffing shortages and ICT constraints as challenges for court stations. The Judiciary's annual State of the Judiciary report gives figures by court.

Official sources: Judiciary: Judiciary calls for sustained investment to address court performance gaps

What is the Judiciary's budget in Kenya?

Kenya's Judiciary was allocated KSh30.4 billion in the 2026/27 budget, according to the National Treasury's Budget Summary. This comprises KSh26.9 billion for recurrent expenses, KSh2.6 billion for development projects and KSh927.4 million for the Judicial Service Commission. National security was allocated KSh566.9 billion, and governance and justice KSh84.3 billion, among the key thematic areas.

The Judiciary's allocation pays for judges, magistrates, court staff and court buildings. The Chief Justice has called for further investment in court infrastructure, judicial staffing and digital systems, the Judiciary reported in July 2026.

Official sources: National Treasury: Budget Summary FY 2026/27 · Judiciary: Judiciary calls for sustained investment to address court performance gaps

How many murders are there in Kenya?

The latest figure from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for 2022, is 4.9 per 100,000. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 5.4 per 100,000; its low point was 2007, at 2.9 per 100,000. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 6.8 per 100,000, and Kenya placed 6th highest of 8. Worldwide: 36th of 99.

How many women are killed in Kenya?

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime puts the homicide rate for women in Kenya at 2.7 per 100,000 in 2022. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2014. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 2.5 per 100,000, and Kenya placed 3rd highest of 6. Of 94 countries with 2022 data, 28th highest.

How many men are killed in Kenya?

7.1 per 100,000: that is the homicide rate for men in Kenya for 2022, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Its high point since 2014 was 2017, at 8.3 per 100,000; its low point was 2018, at 4.5 per 100,000. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 9.4 per 100,000, and Kenya placed 4th highest of 6. World rank, highest first: 34th of 93.

How many people have been killed in fighting in Kenya?

The latest figure from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, for 2024, is 66. Since 2007 it has ranged from 1 (2007) to 202 (2023). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 164; Kenya is 14th highest of 20. Worldwide: 29th of 41.