Uganda, May 22 -- Crimes committed and reported in Kenya crossed the 100,000 mark for the first time, marked by a spike in theft amid tough economic times.

Official data in the Kenya Economic Survey shows that reported cases of crime hit 104,842, a 19 percent rise from last year.

The spike was characterised by increased cases of theft by staff, robberies, break-ins and theft of stock as more Kenyans sought to make ends meet amid biting inflation and high rates of unemployment.

Inflation averaged 7.7 percent last year with the rising cost of goods and services making life harder in an economy with thinning job opportunities.

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"There was a general increase in all cr...