Male and Female Homicide Rates in Kenya by County

How many people in Kenya die annually from intentional homicides? This article provides up-to-date data on the homicide rate in Kenya and the total number of homicide deaths over the years. 

We break the data down by gender, capturing the number of males and females who become victims of homicides annually.

Quick Facts

• Kenya had a homicide rate of 4.9 deaths per 100,000 population in 2022.
• The homicide rate was higher in males, at 7.2 homicides per 100,000 than in females, at 2.7 deaths per 100,000.
• The total number of homicide victims in 2022 was 2,643.
• Nairobi recorded 224 homicides in 2021 - the highest in the country. 
• Nyamira County had the highest homicide rate of 20.5 homicides per 100,000 in 2021.

What is Kenya’s homicide rate?

Homicide rates describe the prevalence of violence in a place and how likely the violence leads to death. Countries with high homicide rates are considered more violent and less safe than those with fewer homicides.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Kenya had a homicide rate of 4.9 deaths per 100,000 population in 2022.^[1] It includes both men and women who were victims of homicides in that year.

Moreover, the chart below shows the total number of deaths in Kenya from homicides between 2004 and 2022.

In 2022, the total number of deaths from homicides in Kenya was 2,643.^[2]

More men are victims of homicides than women.

Men are more likely to be the perpetrators of violence and also comprise the largest share of homicide victims compared to women.

The male homicide rate was higher at 7.2 deaths per 100,000 males, while that of females was lower at 2.7 deaths per 100,000 females.^{[3] [4]} 

Males are, therefore, three to four times more likely to be victims of homicides in Kenya than females. This sex difference in homicides and other risky activities contributes significantly to differences in mortality between men and women, leading to a higher number of deaths in men and lower life expectancy. 

The chart below shows the annual number of deaths from homicides among males and females. 

In 2022, the total number of homicide victims who were male was 1,918.^[5] The number of female homicide victims was lower at 725 deaths.^[6]

Nairobi had the highest number of homicides in 2021

The National Police Service publishes annual data on crimes in Kenya, including homicides. The data is based on reports made to police stations across the country.

In 2021, the NPS recorded a total of 3,281 homicides distributed across all the forty-seven counties of Kenya. Nairobi recorded 224 homicides in that year.^[7]

Others include Kiambu with 187 homicides, Meru with 152, Kakamega with 147, Murang’a with 142, Nakuru with 140, Nyamira with 133, Kisii with 123, Makueni with 120, Nyeri with 120, and Kilifi with 103.

The counties with the fewest homicides included Wajir, with 4 homicides; Lamu, with 9; Garissa, with 11; Samburu, with 17; Taita Taveta, 17; Tana River, 17; Isiolo, 18; West Pokot, 22; Turkana, 22, Narok, 27, and Vihiga, with 30.

Nyamira was the most violent county in 2021

Population differences between counties may explain why some counties, like Nairobi, have a higher number of homicides than others. This is because the higher the number of people in a location, the more likely the incidence of homicide.

To find out which county is more violent, we must eliminate the effect of population on homicides. We do this by dividing the number of homicides in a county by its total population and multiplying the result by 100,000.

In 2021, Nyamira was the most violent county in Kenya, with 20.5 homicides per 100,000 population. Next was Nyeri, with 14.7 homicides per 100,000 population.

Other counties with high homicide rates include:

1. Embu 14.5
2. Murang’a 13.1
3. Marsabit 12.0
4. Makueni 11.8
5. Meru 9.6
6. Kirinyaga 9.5
7. Kisii 9.3
8. Tharaka Nithi 8.8
9. Siaya 8.8

Counties with the lowest homicide rates in Kenya include Wajir, with 0.5 homicides per 100,000 population, followed by Garissa, with 1.2 homicides per 100,000.

Other counties with low homicide rates include:

1. Narok 2.2
2. Turkana 2.3
3. Mombasa 3.0
4. West Pokot 3.4
5. Uasin Gishu 3.6
6. Trans Nzoia 4.2
7. Bungoma 4.4
8. Kajiado 4.5

See Also

1. List of most corrupt Kenyan counties
2. Annual number of deaths in Kenya by county and gender 
3. Life expectancy in Kenya by gender and county 

References