Govt Banks on Research and Data Analytics to Fight Crime

The government is strengthening the use of research and data analytics to combat crime, improve security operations and guide policy formulation, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has said.

PS Omollo spoke after a consultative visit to the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC), where he held discussions aimed at deepening the role of crime research in shaping practical security interventions. The meeting reviewed emerging crime trends and underscored the need for closer collaboration between the NCRC, security agencies and National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs).

He said evidence-based approaches were critical to understanding crime dynamics and deploying resources more effectively at both national and grassroots levels.

“Research and data analytics must guide how we plan, prevent and respond to crime. Decisions grounded in evidence enable targeted interventions that have real impact in our communities,” PS Omollo said.

Crime trends

Recent official data point to mixed crime trends across the country. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Economic Survey 2025, the total number of reported crimes declined slightly in 2024 compared to the previous year, signalling modest gains in overall security.

However, the data also reveal significant regional variations. Urban centres, particularly Nairobi, continue to record the highest number of reported cases, although the capital registered a decline compared to 2023. Other counties, including Kiambu and Meru, also reported relatively high crime levels, while some regions experienced notable year-on-year increases.

The statistics further show that offences such as theft, assault and drug-related crimes remain among the most commonly reported, even as certain categories of serious and violent crime persist in specific counties. Analysts have noted that these patterns underscore the importance of granular, timely data to inform localised security responses.

Evidence-driven security

During the engagement, PS Omollo emphasised the need for improved data sharing and stronger institutional linkages to ensure research findings translate into actionable security measures. He said the Government was keen on enhancing coordination between research bodies and frontline security agencies to move from reactive policing to preventive, intelligence-led interventions.

The discussions reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to leveraging research, technology and inter-agency collaboration to strengthen public safety. By anchoring security strategies on reliable data and analysis, the State aims to build safer communities and sustain long-term gains in crime prevention.

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