Revenge and ransom payments have been identified as the major drivers for the rising number of kidnappings in the country.
Research conducted by National Crimes indicates that ransom payment is the major economic motive for kidnapping standing at 87.6 percent followed by revenge at 67.5 percent, political rivalry came third with 63.3 percent.
The research further showed that unemployment especially among the youth is the major factor encouraging kidnapping with 81.1 percent, high rate of poverty came second at 72.1 percent, existence of gangs and militias at 38.5 percent, retrogressive cultural practices 29.7 percent and corruption among some members of the security system at 28.7 percent.
Speaking in Nairobi yesterday during the release of the research findings, Attorney General Githu Muigai pointed out unemployment and poverty as the key enablers of the youth resorting to dubious means of getting easy money.
See Also: The guy who lured Nation reporter into police hands
In a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Solicitor General Christine Agimba, the AG further advised Kenyans to be keen on choosing friends since the report indicates that kidnapping committed by friends and acquaintances was at 48.3% and those committed by family members stood at 29 percent.
Prof Githu called upon Kenyans to fully embrace community intelligence, and reiterated the need of Kenyans to be vigilant since it is the responsibility for everyone to keep the country safe.
“60 percent of crime can be reduced through accurate timing, 10 percent through rapid deployment of resources, 10 percent through effective tactics while 10 percent can be reduced through relentless follow-ups and assessment,” added the AG.
Next Read: These two big supermarkets are in a deep hole
The Director of National Crime Centre Research Gerard Wandera in his remarks said that there is need for all stakeholders to participate in setting the security agenda. He pointed out that 53 percent of crime can be reduced if elected, ordained and appointed leaders came together to talk about security.
The research was conducted in 20 randomly selected counties among 1326 respondents who were 54.8 percent male and 45.2 female. They used Qualitative and Quantitative method of data analysis.
[crp]
