OVERCOMING CHALLENGES OF DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE

CRIME STATISTICS SYSTEM: LESSONS FROM KENYA

Presented During Regional Meeting on Crime Statistics and Victimisation

Surveys

By

Robert C. B. Buluma

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics

Bangkok, Thailand, 1st to 3rd December, 2014

Overview

IntroductionRole of NSOs in producing crime statisticsOrganisation arrangement to produce

crime statisticsRobustness of statistical infrastructure to

collect dataCollaboration advantagesCrime data available in KenyaDissemination of crime dataConstraints in publishing crimeChallenges in ensuring accuracy of dataConclusions & recommendations

Introduction: Location of Kenya

Introduction: AttractionsRich and diverse Culture World Champions

Introduction: The big five wildlife

Introduction: Wildlife

Introduction: World’s best tea & Coffee

Introduction: Best horticulture

Introduction: Good white sand beaches at the Coast

Role of NSOs in Producing Crime Statistics

NSOs are established by an Act of Parliament

Collects, compiles, collates and writes reports & disseminate:

Censuses

Surveys

Collects official administrative crime data from MDAs

Role of NSOs in Producing Crime Statistics Official legitimacy as public

institutions

Familiarity with statistical standards and procedures

Strategically positioned to ensuresustainability of data collection

Cost effective since some modules canbe attached on regular surveys

Role of NSOs inProducing Crime Statistics

Publishes and disseminates all information related to crime statistics

Provides technical statistical service/advice to the users by establishing a data bank

Ensures that data collected are reliable, objective, relevant, transparent and do not reveal the identities of the individuals ( i. e are confidential)

Role of NSOs inProducing Crime Statistics

Conduct nationwide crime surveys to generate trends on crime to supplement administrative data

Chooses crime data sources with regard to quality, timelines, costs and the burden of respondents.

Creates the right synergies between different justice sector data collection projects in order to ensure maximum utilization of the outputs from such projects, thereby reducing response burdens.

Role of NSOs inProducing Crime Statistics

Formulates crime - based questionnaires that are clear and concise in order to minimize response difficulties

Keeps to a minimum the number of data variables to be collected in crime questions and ensures their strict relevance and proportionality to actual information needs

Role of NSOs in Producing Crime Statistics

Establishes appropriate mechanism for crime statistical coordination

Allocates statistical responsibilities among government agencies by designing the statistics to be collected by them, including their periodicity and content.

Role of NSOs in Producing Crime Statistics

Uses technologies that reduces the number of paper questionnaires thereby rendering the data collection process more efficient and effective for both data providers and the NSO.

Prescribes uniform standards and classification systems in crime statistics

Provides technical and secretariat support to the TWG handling crime

Serves as the crime statistical clearing house and liaison for international and

Role of NSOs in Producing Crime Statistics

Provides technical assistance and support to crime related projects of other statistical agencies.

Formulates, develops and implements plans and programs on crime statistics in order to provide government with timely, accurate and reliable data on crime.

Promotes professionalism based on the use of sound methods and tools and be responsive to changing needs and use of modern management tools.

Encourages and promotes MDAs to have statistical units

OrganisationArrangement to Produce Crime Statistics

NSO (Kenya National Bureau of Statistics) formed by an Act of Parliament

Governance unit in 2001 which is a section handling Governance, Peace & Security Statistics

Section has TWC with focal point officers from MDAs

NSO is the chair of TWC

Whenever, NSO requires data we do request for it in writing to the CEO of the organization supplying us with the data.

Kenya is piloting administrative data collection using the newly developed data collection tools for SHaSA( Strategy for Harminisation of Statistics in Africa)

.

OrganisationArrangement to Produce Crime Statistics

This is an initiative of African Union Commission in collaboration with UNDP regional office for Africa in Dakar, Senegal.

This component falls under the Governance, Peace and Security (GPSS) thematic area of African Union Commission

OrganisationArrangement to ProduceCrime Statistics

Robustness of Statistical Infrastructure to Collect Data

The mandates of most MDAs are not to collect data

Some MDAs have statistical units based at the Hq that compile statistical information from all over the stations in the country

Most of the MDAs have several stations spread all over the country.

Robustness of Statistical Infrastructure to Collect Data

Data is collected at the station level daily and then collated into weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly basis and returns sent to the Headquarters

Data is transmitted through hard copies and soft copies by email

In rare occasions are there systems that transmit data through websites

Robustness of Statistical Infrastructure to Collect Data

Data is also compiled on ad hoc basis when responding to various users

The data collected is sent to headquarters through various established channels by the respective MDAs

The various channels are tasked to authenticate the data from the various stations before relaying it to the headquarters

Robustness of Statistical Infrastructure to Collect Data

Not all data collected from the stations is released to KNBS. The Bureau only receives data requested for in a particular format

Some of the data collected is for internal consumption

Robustness of Statistical Infrastructure to Collect Data

For example the data collected is for administrative purposes like determining deployment of staff, staff transfer, recruitment, effectiveness of various programmes in place etc

The authority to release data to KNBSor other users lies with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the respective institution.

Collaboration Advantages

Savings in time and money in re-using or adopting an existing technological innovations or methodology.

Sharing new features ( e.g. data management system) developed by one of the collaborating parties by the other partners at minimal cost.

The use of common shared system can promote and enable the use of statistical standards.

Collaboration Advantages

Using the same software platform for statistical data management makes the exchange of data and metadata easier between organizations

It can facilitate production of joint data collection or dissemination exercises between organizations

Collaboration Advantages Collaboration between organizations in

this way sends a very positive message to stakeholders.

Establishes a strong network of partner agencies

Strengthens commitment of individuals and agencies through active involvement.

Upholds measurable standards for staff within the collaboration by setting specific responsibilities

Crime Data Available in Kenya

1: Crimes reported to PoliceNumber

Crimes1 2010 2011 2012 2013*

Homicide …………………………… ……………………………2,239 2,641 2,761 2,878

Offences against morality …………………………… ……………………………4,817 4,703 4,806 4,779

Other offences against persons …………………………… ……………………………20,012 20,144 20,698 19,344

Robbery …………………………… ……………………………2,843 3,262 3,262 3,551

Breakings …………………………… ……………………………6,453 7,325 7,578 6,397

Theft of stock …………………………… ……………………………2,244 2,269 2,377 1,965

Stealing …………………………… ……………………………11,986 13,797 14,111 11,455

Theft by servant …………………………… ……………………………2,591 2,889 2,984 2,702

Vehicles and other thefts …………………………… ……………………………1,365 1,768 1,663 1,631

Dangerous drugs …………………………… ……………………………5,081 4,649 4,181 4,316

Crime Data Availablein Kenya2: Firearms/ammunitions/drugs

Unit 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013*

Firearms

Rifles ……………………………..Number 121 162 164 122 169

Pistols ……………………………..Number 128 80 102 97 77

Toy Pistols ……………………………..Number 174 10 38 17 39

Total 423 252 304 236 285

Rifles ……………………………..Number 163 1,064 26 11 16

Pistols ……………………………..Number - - - - -

Toy Pistols ……………………………..Number - - 38 - -

Total 163 1,064 64 11 16

Number 110,047 38,127 16,288 12,768 3,712

Number 4,480 3,373 100 56 499

Total 114,527 41,500 16,388 12,824 4,211

Kg 7,289 14,764 25,943 4,735 17,122

Surrendered ……………………………..

Drugs seized

Firearms/Ammunition/Drugs

Recovered

Surrendered

Ammunition (Rounds)

Recovered1 ……………………………..

Crime Data Available in Kenya

3. Judiciary Statistics

Year Status of Case

Magistrate

's

Courts

Kadhi'

s

Court

High

Courts

Court

of

Appeal

Suprem

e

CourtTotal

Filed …………………………………….415,378 1,086 27,440 .. .. 443,904

Pending …………………………………….732,482 2,150 106,898 .. .. 841,530

Disposed of …………………………………….433,079 792 21,251 .. .. 455,122

Filed …………………………………….371,697 2,432 20,428 .. .. 394,557

Pending …………………………………….615,526 2,796 42,059 .. .. 660,381

Disposed of …………………………………….488,653 1,786 85,267 .. .. 575,706

Filed …………………………………….319,469 2,055 25,798 958 .. 348,280

Pending …………………………………….596,283 3,265 50,462 5,714 .. 655,724

Disposed of …………………………………….338,712 1,586 17,395 498 .. 358,191

Filed …………………………………….315,206 2,421 27,614 1,126 17 346,384

Pending …………………………………….510,107 2,437 114,826 6,234 9 633,613

Disposed of …………………………………….313,457 3,123 21,290 606 8 338,484

Filed …………………………………….116,393 1,428 25,728 1,183 18 144,750

Pending …………………………………….595,248 8,283 133,450 6,322 7 743,310

Disposed of …………………………………….195,418 3,090 20,640 1,032 11 220,191

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013*

Crime Data Available in Kenya

4. Prison Statistics

M F M F M F

Sentenced to 2 yrs or more ………………………………………………………………5,474 317 3,208 582 15,107 497

Sentenced to 1 Month -2yrs ………………………………………………………………48,169 5,584 34,604 3,853 43,686 5,698

Less than 1 Month ………………………………………………………………15,116 1,656 12,294 1,374 14,736 1,644

Committed for debt ………………………………………………………………655 20 118 18 556 113

Total Convicted ………………..Prisoners by sex69,414 7,577 57,516 6,175 69,430 7,975

Total Convicted Prisoners…….

Committed for safe

custody (remand) by

sex …….. 157,891 12,284 129,348 11,512 137,974 12,539

Total Remand…………………Total Prisons

Population by

sex…………….. 227,305 19,861 186,864 17,687 207,404 20,514

Total Prisons Population……..

Number Previously convicted ………………………………………………………………20,620 1,966 11,446 1,503 21,830 1,080

Deaths (Excluding Executions) ………………………………………………………………210 10 217 19 623 9

Prison population per

100,000 of Kenyan

population 625.0 480.2 556.4

247,166 204,551 227,918

2013*2011 2012

170,175 140,860 150,513

76,991 63,691 77,405

Crime Data Available in Kenya

Number of crimes reported to police stations per year

Types of firearms and ammunitions recovered /surrendered per year

Number of persons reported to Police to have committed offences by sex, age and county per year

Crime Data Availablein Kenya

Number of persons reported to have committed offences against morality and other offences against persons by sex and county per year

Persons reported to Police stations to have committed homicide offences by sex and county per year

Persons reported to Police stations to have committed robbery and theft by sex and county per year

Crime Data Available in Kenya

Number of foreigners (adults and juveniles) brought into formal contact with the Police by sex and age per year

Number of environmental pollution (air, water, and soil) offences by county per year

Number of offences involving illegal movement or illegal dumping of waste recorded per year

Crime Data Availablein Kenya

Number of offences involving transnational illegal movement or illegal dumping of waste recorded per year

Number of persons brought into formal contact with the Law for illegal movement or illegal dumping of waste per year

Number of persons brought into formal contact with the Law for transnational illegal movement or illegal dumping of waste per year

Crime Data Available in Kenya

Number of persons brought into formal contact with the Law for transnational illegal trade in endangered species of fauna and flora per year

Number of persons brought into formal contact with the Law for illegal trade in endangered species of fauna and flora per year

Crime Data Available in Kenya

Number of cases handled by Ethics and Anti – corruption commission by type and action taken per year

Number of prosecutors per year

Number of registered murder and corruption cases and convictions obtained by the Public Prosecutions per year

Number of other registered cases by type and convictions obtained by the Public Prosecutions per year

Crime Data Availablein Kenya

Number of cases handled by various courts/mobile courts per year

Number of persons brought before courts by type of offence and sex per year

Number of persons convicted for environmental pollution offences per year

Number of persons convicted for illegal movement or dumping of waste per year

Crime Data Availablein Kenya

Number of persons convicted for illegal transnational movement or dumping of waste per year

Number of persons convicted for illegal trade in endangered species of fauna and flora per year

Number of persons convicted for illegal transnational trade in endangered species of fauna and flora per year

Crime Data Available in Kenya

Convicted prison population by age, sex and county per year

Daily average population of prisoners by sex per year

Prison population by sentence duration by sex per year

Convicted prisoners by type of offences by sex per year

Number of juveniles held in prisons, penal or correctional institutions by sex, type of offence and county per year

Crime Data Available in Kenya

Number of foreigners held in prisons, penal or correctional institutions by sex, type of offence per year

Official capacity of adult prisons, penal or correctional institutions per year

Official capacity of juvenile prisons, penal or correctional institutions per year

Number of prison staff of adult prisons, penal or correctional institutions by sex and county per year

Crime Data Available in Kenya

Number of prison staff of juvenile prisons, penal or correctional institutions by sex and county per year

Prison staff by sex per year

Number of persons with disability in juvenile prisons by type of disability, sex and county per year

Crime data Available in Kenya

Number of persons with disability in adult prisons by type of disability, sex and county per year

Number of mothers with children in prisons by county per year

Number of all children cases handled by the relevant department of children services by situation of children per year

Dissemination of Crime Data

Data is disseminated through:Annual Economic Surveys

Annual Statistical abstracts

Website - www: knbs.or.ke

Individual institutions

International organisations e.g UNODC

Dissemination ofCrime Data

On request by various entities/individuals

Some MDAs publish the data in periodic reports on monthly, quarterly or annual basis and in internal bulletins

Some MDAs disseminate data through Signals, periodic reports

Constraints in Publishing Crime Data

Lack of financial support

Lack of GPSS units in some countries

Lack of GPSS units in MDAs

Data quality concerns in some of the MDAs

Statistics is not core functions in some MDAs

Periodic changing of officers handling data in MDAs

Challenges in Ensuring Accuracy of Data

Lack of a standard way of passing information in some MDAs(i.e Lack of uniformity in submitting statistics)

Lack of harmonization of data between the some MDAs especially if they produce similar data

Inaccurate interpretation of the data

Inaccurate projections

Challenges in Ensuring Accuracy of Data

Arithmetical errors in some of the data forwarded to the headquarters

Lack of adequate personnel trained in data collection, analysis and dissemination in some MDAs since their mandate is not to collect data

Varying categorization of data by different counties or MDAs

Challenges in Ensuring Accuracy of Data

Inconsistency in data collected

Lack of completeness of the data collected

Lack of adequate infrastructure in some MDAs

In some MDAs data from the field is usually incomplete and untimely

Challenges inEnsuring Accuracy of Data

In some MDAs there are many errors in data remitted to the headquarters

Manual processing of data in the field leading to various errors

Some MDAs collect data but do not have laid down systems for statistical data collection.

Challenges in Ensuring Accuracy of Data

Major challenge in data collection is funding for:

Capacity building in various MDAs

Equipment

Conclusion & recommendations

Data on crime can be collected

In Kenya, there is a strong will by various MDAs for collaboration in data collection

NSOs need to build rapport with MDAs

THANK YOU

Thank you for listening to me

Be blessed

Website: knbs.or.ke