This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Kenya statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from Kenyan statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Kenyan-specific metadata information.
| Goal |
Goal 1: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels |
|---|---|
| Target |
Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere |
| Indicator |
16.1.1 Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, by sex and age |
| Metadata update |
2024 |
| Related indicators |
5.2.1, 16.1.2, 16.1.3, 16.3.1, 16.1.4, 16.3.1, 16.2.3 |
| Data reporter |
Senior Manager, Social Statistics |
| Organisation |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |
| Contact person(s) |
Rosemary Bowen |
| Contact organisation unit |
Social Statistics |
| Contact person function |
Collect, compile, analyze and disseminate statistics on governance, peace and security, gender, education and health |
| Contact phone |
+254 735004401, +254 202911000, +254 202911001 |
| Contact mail |
P.O Box 30266-00100, Nairobi |
| Contact email | |
| Definition and concepts |
Definition: The indicator is defined as the total count of victims of intentional homicide divided by the total population, expressed per 100,000 populations. Intentional homicide is defined as the unlawful death inflicted upon a person with the intent to cause death or serious injury (Source: International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes, ICCS 2015); population refers to total resident population in a given country in a given year. Concepts: The International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes (ICCS) is the source of the definition of intentional homicide. Intentional homicide (ICCS 0101): Unlawful death inflicted upon a person with the intent to cause death or serious injury. The statistical definition contains three elements that characterize the killing of a person as “intentional homicide”: 1. The killing of a person by another person (objective element); 2. The intent of the perpetrator to kill or seriously injure the victim (subjective element); 3. The unlawfulness of the killing, which means that the law considers the perpetrator liable for the unlawful death (legal element). This definition states that, for statistical purposes, all killings corresponding to the three criteria above should be considered as intentional homicides, irrespective of definitions provided by national legislations or practices. In the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), deaths coded with ICD-10 codes X85-Y09 (injuries inflicted by another person with intent to injure or kill) and ICD-10 code Y87.1 (sequelae of assault), or ICD-11 codes PD50-PF2Z and PJ20-PJ2Z, generally correspond to the definition of intentional homicide discussed above. |
| Unit of measure |
Number of homicide deaths per 100,000 population |
| Classifications |
International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes, ICCS 2015 International Classification of Diseases |
| Data sources |
Administrative data from Kenya Police Service |
| Data collection method |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics sends a data template to the Head of Kenya Police Service on an annual basis. Kenya Police Service compiles the data from their administrative records on reported homicide cases and sends them back to KNBS for validation and publication in the Economic Survey. In addition, Kenya Police Service provides information on number of victims of intentional homicide by age and sex according to UN-Crime Trend Statistics template |
| Data collection calendar |
Annually |
| Data release calendar |
Annually April 2023 |
| Data providers |
Kenya Police Service |
| Data compilers |
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |
| Institutional mandate |
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) is established under the Statistics Act, 2006 as the principal agency of the Government for collecting, analyzing and disseminating statistical data in Kenya, as the custodian of official statistical information and promoting effective statistical coordination of NSS. |
| Rationale |
This indicator is widely used at national and international level to measure the most extreme form of violent crime and it also provides a direct indication of lack of security. Security from violence is a prerequisite for individuals to enjoy a safe and active life and for societies and economies to develop freely. Intentional homicides occur in all countries of the world and this indicator has a global applicability. Monitoring intentional homicides is necessary to better assess their causes, drivers and consequences and, in the longer term, to develop effective preventive measures. |
| Comment and limitations |
The International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes (ICCS) provides important clarifications on the definition of intentional homicide. In particular, it states that the following killings are included in the count of homicide: - Murder - Honour killing - Serious assault leading to death - Death as a result of terrorist activities - Dowry-related killings - Femicide - Infanticide - Voluntary manslaughter - Extrajudicial killings - Killings caused by excessive force by law enforcement/state officials Compilation of disaggregated data by type of homicide is progressively being implemented. Previously KNBS has been using number homicide cases as a proxy for this indicator but currently Kenya Police Service provides the number of victims of intentional homicide by age and sex at national levels. In cases where data on intentional homicide victims are not available, the number of intentional homicide offences, that is the number of incidents involving one or more victims recorded by the police, is normally used as a proxy. |
| Method of computation |
The indicator is calculated as the total number of victims of intentional homicide recorded in a given year divided by the total resident population in the same year, multiplied by 100,000. Rate=100,000* Number of Victims/ Total Population For the rate by sex or age, the number of victims of that sex or age should be divided by the population of the same sex or age. |
| Validation |
Upon receiving filled-in data templates from Kenya Police Service, KNBS reviews and validates the data as per the Kenya Statistical Quality Assurance Framework (KeSQAF) and Principles of Official statistics through the Governance Peace and Security Statistics Technical Working Committee. |
| Methods and guidance available to countries for the compilation of the data at the national level |
The International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes (ICCS) and its briefing note on unlawful killings in conflict situations include information on the definition and disaggregation’s The United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (UN-CTS) includes further information on counting rules used for homicide victims |
| Quality management |
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics is ISO certified based on 9001:2015 Standard requirements. The processes of compilation, production, publication and dissemination of data, including quality control, are carried out following the methodological framework and standards established by the KNBS, in compliance with the Internationally acceptable standards |
| Quality assurance |
The KNBS adheres to Kenya Statistical Quality Assurance Framework (KeSQAF) that underlines principles to be assured in managing the statistical production processes and output. |
| Quality assessment |
KNBS developed a quality assurance framework (KeSQAF), to record and reference the full range of quality concepts, dimensions, and practices. These include; Relevance, accuracy, reliability, timeliness, punctuality, accessibility, clarity, coherence, consistency, methodological soundness, and integrity |
| Data availability and disaggregation |
Data Availability Data available at National level. Time Series 2015 to 2023 Disaggregation Disaggregated by age and sex of the victim. |
| Comparability/deviation from international standards |
Discrepancies might exist on reported counts of intentional homicides because of the gradual implementation of ICCS in Kenya, especially at the sub-national level. |
| References and Documentation |
URl: https://www.knbs.or.ke/download/economic-survey-2023/ https://dataunodc.un.org/dp-intentional-homicide-victimsCrime and criminal justice statistics (unodc.org) References: International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes - ICCS, 2015 |
| Metadata last updated | Aug 28, 2025 |