A new report has lifted a lid on how much money Kenyan contracted hitmen, mostly consisting of rogue police officers, pocket per assignment.
The report dubbed 'Targeted Killings in Eastern and Southern Africa' released at the end of September, hinted that the hitmen are paid between Ksh92,800 and Ksh371,000 for a single assassination contract.
The report, which was compiled by Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crimes (GI-TOC), also indicated that of all assassination attempts in Kenya, 71 per cent resulted in deaths.
"The price range for personal hits in Kenya was typically between Ksh92,800 (US$928) and Ksh371,200 (US$3,712) with the exception of a foiled assassination plot in 2015 when a woman plotted to have her husband killed for approximately Ksh1,113,800 (US$11,138).
"In this particular case, the couple was known to be wealthy and her husband’s death would have resulted in a considerable insurance payout," read the statement in part.
It was also revealed that corrupt law enforcement officers and hardcore criminals were the most dangerous class of assassins.
In Kenya, politicians and businessmen were also ranked as the easiest targets in assassination attempts owing to cutthroat political seasons and business fields respectively.
The report, which covered Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa, also provided data from the other two countries showing 87 per cent assassination attempts in South Africa resulted in deaths. In Mozambique, 70 per cent of deaths were recorded.
“In all three countries, politically motivated hits are evident and make up a significant portion of the database. They generally relate to abuses of power and the elimination of competition.
"Organized crime hits are also present in all three countries, and this category generally relates to disputes in the illicit economy and the silencing of whistleblowers, witnesses, and activists," continued the report.
The report also indicated that the crime had been on a steady rise from 2000 to 2017 and slowed down in 2020 due to lockdowns instituted as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
To prove its case, the report highlighted the cases of former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) official Chris Musando and directors from Kahiu Mwiri farmers.
Nairobi County was also ranked the top county that has recorded the highest hits in Kenya between 2015 and 2020.
Since January 2021, over 20 people have been recorded missing in Kenya.
