NAIROBI became the launchpad for the 2023 ENACT Organised Crime Index, a pivotal tool jointly developed by the Institute of Security Studies, Interpol, and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime. The index sheds light on Kenya’s stark position as a central hub for criminal activities in Africa.
Kenya’s status, as outlined by the index, signals alarmingly elevated levels of organised crime, with a staggering average criminality score of 7.02 out of 10. This positioning places Kenya fourth among African countries and 16th globally, notably exceeding the continental average of 5.25. However, the country’s resilience against organised crime, registering an average score of 5.33, though above the continental average of 3.25, signifies significant vulnerabilities.
Scheduled for release on Friday, this third iteration of the index paints a disconcerting picture of organised crime across the African continent. Employing a scale of one to 10 to rank criminality and resilience, it highlights the persistent challenge that organised crime poses to international cooperation and socio-economic progress.
Kenya’s role as a source, transit, and destination for various forms of human trafficking, including forced labour and sexual exploitation, emerges as a prominent concern. The country’s strategic geographic location intertwines major trafficking routes from the Horn of Africa, Southern Africa, and East Africa to the Arabian Peninsula and South Asia. The report underlines the troubling collusion between traffickers and Kenyan law enforcement officials, exacerbating the gravity of the situation.
The comprehensive index assesses multiple criminal markets in Kenya, all scoring above average. These include human trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, arms trafficking, counterfeit goods trade, drug trades (heroin, cocaine, cannabis, synthetic drugs), cyber-dependent crimes, and financial crimes. These illicit markets yield substantial profits while permeating various sectors of Kenyan society, exerting detrimental effects.
Despite these challenges, the report identifies opportunities for enhancement within Kenya’s regulatory and institutional framework. It points to entrenched corruption, bribery, and criminal influence in public life, hampering the government’s anti-organised crime efforts. Notably, the involvement of known criminals in politics and links between drug trafficking and opposition party sponsorship raise significant apprehensions.
The ENACT Index serves as a valuable resource for policymakers and civil society, aiming to instigate sustainable reforms. It emphasizes the role of state complicity in perpetuating organised crime, particularly in authoritarian regimes, while highlighting the shrinking space for civil society and human rights defenders combating corruption and organised crime.
