According to the 2025 Economic Survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Wajir, Mandera, Lamu, Samburu and Tana River are the safest counties to live in Kenya.
These five counties recorded the lowest number of crimes reported to police in 2024, reflecting their relative safety compared to other parts of the country.
Wajir registered 358 reported crimes, followed by Mandera with 373 cases, Lamu with 401, Samburu with 414 and Tana River with 436.
Garissa recorded 646 cases, followed by Taita Taveta (760), Elgeyo Marakwet (802), Isiolo (825), and West Pokot (849). Marsabit reported 898 incidents, Baringo 942, Kwale 1,006, Laikipia 1,157, and Turkana 1,169.
Other counties with fewer than 2,000 cases included Siaya (1,296), Nyamira (1,349), Tharaka-Nithi (1,373), Vihiga (1,415), Nyandarua (1,462), Nandi (1,534), Busia (1,572), Embu (1,720), Bomet (1,814), Kirinyaga (1,869), Homa Bay (1,870) and Trans Nzoia (1,879).
Counties with relatively higher numbers of reported crimes included Kericho and Kakamega, each recording 1,976 and 1,991 cases, respectively. Narok and Kakamega had 1,991 cases each, while Kajiado had 2,078, Nyeri 2,296, and Uasin Gishu 2,304. Migori and Makueni recorded 2,388 and 2,442 cases, respectively. Kitui had 2,664, Mombasa 2,689, Kilifi 2,725 and Kisumu 2,822.
The highest crime numbers were recorded in Bungoma with 3,188 cases, Murang’a with 3,509, Machakos with 4,028, Nakuru with 4,664, Meru with 5,487, Kiambu with 8,865 and Nairobi leading at 9,717.
Nairobi City Police Command registered the highest share of all crimes reported at 9.6 per cent, followed by Kiambu at 8.8 per cent and Meru at 5.4 per cent.
While the national total number of reported crimes declined by 3.5 per cent to 101,200 in 2024, some counties recorded sharp increases. Marsabit had the highest percentage rise at 41.0 per cent, followed by Narok (34.3 per cent), West Pokot (28.6 per cent), and Migori (23.2 per cent).
Taita Taveta led in the percentage decline of reported crimes at 32.4 per cent, followed by Trans Nzoia (22.1 per cent) and Machakos (15.7 per cent).
They also noted that the number of persons reported to have committed crimes dropped by 1.1 per cent to 103,256, with male offenders decreasing by 1,121 and female offenders by 13. Nairobi recorded the highest drop in the number of individuals reported, with 1,363 fewer suspects.
However, Marsabit, Narok and Mandera recorded the highest percentage increases in persons reported to have committed crimes at 46.4, 34.8 and 29.2 per cent, respectively. Taita Taveta and Trans Nzoia again led in percentage decline at 29.5 and 20.8 per cent, respectively.
