With a mobile app, you can now digitally report a crime in Kenya

Kenya has gone a step ahead in crime reporting after it launched on Tuesday a free crime monitoring app that allows anyone with a smartphone to digitally report a crime.

Kenya’s National Crime Research Centre (NCRC) launched the NCRC Kenya app that is available to Android, Windows and IOS users.

“It collects, collates, reports and uses data to make individuals and communities inclusive, safer and free by giving them opportunity to report crime incidences in specific localities in real time,” NCRC announced.

NCRC's Mobile Crime Incidence Monitoring Application Process Flow through Screenshots pic.twitter.com/Cd6mW9hEjv

— NCRC Kenya (@NCRCKenya) January 24, 2017

“The App will significantly reduce unreported crime, because it has security features that will guarantee the information received will be held in confidence and the privacy of those who report crimes will be respected,” the head of the state agency, Gerald Wandera told local media.

The app also allows users to upload photographs, PDF and audio files related to the crime they are reporting.

NCRC's Mobile Crime Incidence Monitoring Application Process Flow through Screenshots pic.twitter.com/1HhR9I7k9d

— NCRC Kenya (@NCRCKenya) January 24, 2017

As at mid-2016, the crime rate in Kenya had declined from 48 per cent in November 2015, to 35 per cent in June 2016, according to research by Ipsos.

According to the findings, less than half of crime victims reported the matter to the police, with 54 per cent saying they did not want to take the matter further, and another 40 per cent feeling the police are inefficient and corrupt.

Three per cent of respondents said the police station was too far and another three per cent said they fear the police.