SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Noncontrolling Interests Held by KKR Holdings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Calculation of Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Equity based compensation	$ 63,823	$ 76,550
Capital contributions	507,870	1,880,114
Capital distributions	(369,274)	(3,407,973)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss)	(760,336)	1,943,009
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	(38)	1,933
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests in consolidated entities	(158,784)	1,431,561
Plus: Income tax / (benefit) attributable to KKR Management Holdings Corp.	(9,385)	6,053
Net income (loss) attributable to KKR & Co. L.P. and KKR Holdings	(610,899)	515,568
Noncontrolling Interests held by KKR Holdings
Calculation of Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Balance at the beginning of the period	4,347,153	4,661,679
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests held by KKR Holdings	(271,575)	239,008
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	3,730	(11,077)
Impact of the exchange of KKR Holdings units to KKR & Co. L.P. common units	(29,380)	(58,140)
Equity based compensation	10,606	20,517
Capital contributions	69	250
Capital distributions	(61,673)	(132,274)
Balance at the end of the period	3,998,930	4,719,963
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests held by KKR Holdings	$ (271,575)	$ 239,008