Rising Crime Among Youths: A Result of Unemployment.
The National Council on Administration of Justice (NCAJ) revealed in its 2023-24 report that theft and related crimes made up one-third of all cases handled by the criminal justice system during the financial year.
Out of 104,769 criminal cases reported to the police and committed to the justice chain, 34,611 were theft-related.
Stealing topped the list, with 18,292 cases reported, reflecting an increase from 17,386 cases in 2022-23. Other notable crimes included robbery (3,913 cases), break-ins (6,426 cases), theft of stock (2,667 cases), and theft by servant (1,817 cases). Additionally, 1,496 cases involved motor vehicle theft and other forms of theft.
Economic Factors Behind Crime
The NCAJ attributed the rising crime rates to the high cost of living and widespread unemployment.
The report noted that serious criminal activities had declined during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 financial years but have since risen steadily, peaking at 104,769 cases in 2023-24.
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This trend, according to the report, is linked to increasing unemployment rates and economic hardship.
The findings align with data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), which highlighted a worsening poverty index. The KNBS report indicated that millions of Kenyans have fallen into poverty due to harsh economic conditions, resulting in a surge in crime rates.
Youth Unemployment: A Driving Force
Youth unemployment in Kenya is a significant contributor to the rise in theft and related crimes. Statistics show that 39% of youths aged 18 to 34 years—equivalent to 5.2 million people—are jobless.
The UN-Habitat report from 2020 had predicted this scenario, warning that the country’s crime rate could escalate, particularly in informal settlements, as the economy entered a prolonged slump.
It estimated that nearly half of the unemployed population, or 48%, might resort to crime as a means of survival in such challenging conditions.
Summary of Crime Trends (2023-24)
| Crime Type | Reported Cases |
|---|---|
| Stealing | 18,292 |
| Robbery | 3,913 |
| Break-ins | 6,426 |
| Theft of Stock | 2,667 |
| Theft by Servant | 1,817 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,496 |
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Economic challenges and unemployment remain key drivers of crime in Kenya, disproportionately affecting the youth. These issues call for targeted interventions to address the underlying causes of poverty and joblessness.
Rising Crime Among Youths: A Result of Unemployment.
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