This archive report was first published on 21 August 2021.
As we navigate the complexities of modern Kenya, it's hard to ignore the stark reality: our social fabric is in tatters. The recent surge in crimes, including police brutality, lynching, mysterious disappearances, and child kidnappings, has left the nation reeling.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), between 2014 and 2019, the number of offences 'against morality' increased by 32 per cent, with defilement cases rising from 3,896 to 5,397. Drug offences also saw a significant increase (18.3 per cent).
While the categories of assault, homicide, and robbery remained steady, it's likely that the 2020 and 2021 data will reveal an uptick in these categories, consistent with trends in other countries experiencing economic and social stresses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Given these alarming trends, one can't help but wonder: where is the moral panic? Where are our religious and community leaders? What are they doing to repair the social fabric at the national and local levels?
Assistant Professor Ken Opalo at Georgetown University notes that 'we cannot simply legislate these problems away.' Strengthening the State's ability to investigate cases, prosecute suspects, and win convictions would be a start. However, nothing can ever repair the loss experienced by grieving families of murdered loved ones.
As we strive to prevent these crimes from being committed, it's clear that we cannot rely on the government for help. The images of mothers mourning their murdered children alongside callous statements from senior government officials are a stark reminder of the heartless cruelty that seems to be the raison d'être of the government.
