Kenya has been ranked the fourth most affected country by organised criminality in Africa, according to the newly released Africa Organised Crime Index 2025 by the Enact Organisation. The report places the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa and Nigeria as the top three criminality hotspots on the continent.
According to the findings, Kenya’s high ranking is driven by a surge in key criminal markets, including rapidly growing cyber-dependent crimes, human and arms trafficking, and illegal trade involving fauna, flora and non-renewable resources, as well as the proliferation of counterfeit goods.
The report also highlights the major actors fuelling organised criminal activities within the country. State-embedded actors are identified as the most dominant players, exerting significant influence on criminal networks. They are closely followed by foreign actors and certain private sector players, further complicating efforts to curb illicit activities.
To address the rising threat, the Enact Organisation has proposed several measures, including greater investment in young people, enhanced monitoring of organised crime, and the deployment of advanced technology to detect and disrupt criminal networks.
The report underscores the urgent need for coordinated interventions to protect Kenya’s economic stability, security and social well-being as organised crime continues to evolve in scale and sophistication.