Kenya Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Kenya
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated March 17, 2025
Kenya recorded 4.9 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2022, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places Kenya #69 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Africa average of 7.6 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have remained broadly stable over the past decade. For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Kenya at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
4.9 /100k
Safety Rank
#127 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2022
Homicide Rate Trend (2004-2022)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have remained broadly stable over the past decade. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Kenya Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Kenya, the homicide rate for men is 2.7× higher than the rate for women — 7.1 vs 2.7 per 100,000 (2022).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Armed Conflict Context
Kenya has recorded battle-related deaths in recent years. Conflict deaths are counted separately from homicides — a country can have a moderate crime rate but significant conflict risk, and travel advisories weigh both.
Battle-Related Deaths
66(2024)
Military Spending
1.0% GDP(2024)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Kenya:
Updated to include a risk indicator for health and to reflect additional safety and security information. Do Not Travel to: Kenya-Somalia border counties (Garissa, Wajir, Mandera), Tana River County, and coastal areas north of Malindi due to terrorism and kidnapping; West Pokot and western Turkana County due to banditry; Parts of Marsabit and Turkana Counties within 30 miles (50 kilometers) of the Ethiopian border due to cross-border incursions. Reconsider Travel to: The Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera due to crime and kidnapping .
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Kenya Population & Demographics
Population of 56,432,944, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kenya safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Kenya at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). Cited risks include health. The homicide rate of 4.9 per 100,000 is moderate by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Kenya?
Kenya has an intentional homicide rate of 4.9 per 100,000 people (2022, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #69 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Kenya?
Kenya is currently at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Kenya compare to other countries?
Kenya's homicide rate of 4.9 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Africa average of 7.6.