ALARMING NAIROBI CRIME RATE!

By Purity Mandu, Journalism & Digital Media student, KCA University.

Photo courtesy; DCI Kenya (Twitter), Recovered from Thugs around Nairobi CBD.

Since the early decades, when people would capture others for sale in slave trade, the global crime rate has been rising. In Kenya, different communities would engage in cattle rustling to steal cattle for their communities and bride prices. However, crime has continued to change its face and form over time. Some of the crimes that are currently being committed include: capital crimes or offenses, as well as minor offenses such as terrorism, burglary, pickpocketing, street snatching, poaching, rape, and killing, among others. Crime is one of the most expensive expenditures for governments, which is why there are security forces in place.

Security is a must for achieving global sustainable economic development. The safety and security of a country's people determines its potential for growth and prosperity. Increased insecurity, on the other hand, has emerged as a major impediment to trade, investment, the delivery of essential services, social cohesion, and integration. The issue stems from the large number of crimes committed in various areas, particularly in cities. Criminal activity disregards a person's socioeconomic status, for instance Machakos University was recently closed indefinitely due to frequent student protests over insecurity. Later, one of their colleagues was arrested in Machakos for allegedly robbing a university student and that is questioning.

Nairobi is Kenya's capital and largest city. It is a modern and cosmopolitan city, but it also has significant inequality and segregation between its wealthy and poor populations. Mugging, theft and robbery has become a daily dose to the residents in the city.The gangs have not only turned to the materialistic items we have but they are also after our dear lives.

Majority of city dwellers live in constant fear of insecurity due to high cases of crime rate.Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has urged youth to keep off crime, adding that it is not a good deed. While addressing the youth in sheng, Sakaja said times are tough but mugging people on the streets is not an option.

"Vijana, crime sio fiti, ata kama ni kunoma, kupiga watu ngeta sio poa . Na mkishikwa msinipigie juu itakua noma,"   ~~Governor Sakaja.

Photo courtesy; Governor Sakaja's Press

"Mugging,cattle rustling or other forms of insecurity must stop," the President said in his recent speech adding that the National Police Service is independent and properly resourced to carry out its mandate.

"Police are on it. They have instructions and the support they need to fight insecurity around the country. They have no excuses,”  ~~President William Ruto on Wednesday, December 7th.

Photo Courtesy; State House Kenya, President William Samoei Ruto.

Azimio la Umoja one Kenya alliance leader Raila Odinga, recently issued a statement on the issue of insecurity following complaints on social media and the mainstream media. But this is little consolation to people who put their lives out every day to meet their needs having fear of the worst possibility of what might happen. Victims get robbed of their belongings,some sustain injuries and others end up dead in process.

Yet with all this said,each day passes as we live in fear of loosing another life,another property. As a result, walking alone in secluded areas, especially in downtown areas, public parks, along footpaths, and in poorly lit areas has become dangerous and is highly discouraged.

Muggings and stabbings have increased in Nairobi, according to Kenya's national police service.The National Police Service (NPS) has identified crime hotspots in Nairobi where gangs are said to be operating amid an increase in insecurity and warned Kenyans about these locations. Sentiments come amid growing public outrage that the National Police Service (NPS) is failing to protect Kenyans after one incident that went viral on social media, a man on a motorcycle snatched a cellphone from a person in a parking lot in broad daylight.

Kenya is not a crime-free country, as evidenced by the daily news coverage of criminal acts. The government, civil society, and the international community have all made significant efforts to reduce crime. However, available statistics show that crime rates have increased across the country, particularly in Nairobi and its environs. Currently, various horrifying episodes of criminal incidents are featured in daily media reports from various parts of the city that sadly go unsolved. Confrontations between police officers and hardened criminals have become common occurrences in the town and its outskirts.

Are we safe in the hands of the police?

Purity Mandu is a Journalism & Digital Media Student- KCA University.