From left kakamega county commisioner Albert Kobia,Western region police boss Benson Kibui and the Region's Pc Samuel Kilele at a past function. [Photo | John Kabaka | West Fm]

Crime rate has been on the increase in the four counties in Western province in the last one month, according to police reports.

Crime figures released by the provincial police headquarters in Kakamega Thursday indicated that crimes like murder, rape, robbery with violence, stealing and narcotic drugs related crimes  went up in the month of May compared to April.

The figures however, indicate that there was a drop in cases of housebreaking in the province within the same period. The region reported 16 housebreaking incidents in May down from 28 cases reported in April.

Western Provincial Police Commander Benson Kibui attributed the rise in housebreaking in April to heavy rains that pounded the area in night which worked in favour of the criminals.

Cases of stealing rose from 90 in April to 108 in May while Narcotic drugs incidents recorded 27 incidences in May from 25 in April.

There were four rape cases reported in the month of May while there was none in April. Murder rose from 11 in April to 13 cases in May. The province did not report any corruption related case within the two month period.

Residents of Kakamega County have staged two peaceful demonstrations to protest against increased insecurity in the area.

Kakamega police commander Joseph Omijah said theft of motorbikes in Kakamega have declined saying the no such case has been reported for the last three months.