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President William Ruto has blamed politicians for the proliferation of criminal gangs linked to deteriorating security situation in the country in the past one year.

In his report to Parliament on the State of National Security, the President said general crime cases rose by 16.7 per cent in the past year compared to the same period last year.

“During the period under review, the country witnessed crimes ranging from homicides, sexual-based violence, and murder, among others,” said the President.

According to Ruto, the country witnessed the activation of criminal gangs by election candidates mobilizing for votes using the groups such as Kamagira, Wakali Wao, Confirm, Panga Boys, MRC, Warsame, Dambel, 26 Sheba, Kayole, Jamaican, Mbogi la Islam, 3 Phase, Peaceland and Geta.

“During the period under review, 1,113 suspect members of these gangs were arrested and arraigned in court,” the report says.

Harsh economy

During the period, some 7,062 sexual and gender-based violence cases were reported out of which, 6,796 (96 per cent) targeted females with most of the victims being between the ages of 15 and 17 years and that some 5,323 were cases of defilement.

“This trend can be attributed to retrogressive cultural and religious beliefs, poverty and unemployment, drug and substance abuse, and low levels of awareness among the affected populations on how to handle SGBV cases,” Ruto said in his report.

According to the report, there was also a sharp rise in crime, showing that between September 1, 2022 and August 31, 2023 there was an increase of 48 offences.

The report showed that Nairobi recorded the highest number of cases at 10,078, followed by Kiambu 9, 242, Nakuru 4,850 and Machakos 4516.

The President attributed the increase in crime cases to the harsh economic times.