Government condemns child sex exploitation in Mai Mahiu, pledges swift justice

The Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services condemn child sexual exploitation in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County, as exposed in a BBC Africa Eye investigation. 

In a press statement issued Thursday with the government pledging urgent multi-agency action to bring perpetrators to justice.

Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children Services, Hanna Cheptumo, said the government was "deeply disturbed" by the exposé, which uncovered a web of child trafficking and sexual abuse operating in broad daylight with impunity.

“This inhumane practice is a gross violation of child rights under the Children Act 2022, the Constitution of Kenya, and international child protection frameworks,” CS Wendot said.

“The government will not tolerate the abuse of vulnerable children for profit, pleasure, or gain by locals or foreigners alike.”

The BBC report documented how girls as young as 13 are being  trafficked and exploited sexually in Mai Mahiu, a transit town on the busy Northern Corridor linking Kenya to Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC.

The investigation revealed how women known as "madams" recruit and manage these girls, some of whom have been in the trade for months.

Undercover reporters posing as aspiring traffickers were introduced to underage girls by women who admitted the illegality of their operations.

In one disturbing scene, a woman named Nyambura laughed as she bragged about manipulating children with sweets.

She also confessed to sneaking minors out at night to avoid detection, describing child prostitution as a “cash crop” in Mai Mahiu, fuelled by truckers and normalised by the community.

“They’re still children, so it’s easy to manipulate them,” she said.

The Ministry acknowledged the BBC's efforts and revealed that evidence from the exposé had already been shared with the Kenyan police in March, but regrettably, no arrests have yet been made.

The suspects, including the girls, have since disappeared, raising questions about police capacity and political will to crack down on child sex trafficking.

CS said the government has enhanced surveillance and  enforcement through collaboration with cybercrime units and the Multi-Agency Technical Team on Trafficking in Persons.

“Investigations are ongoing and any offenders found culpable shall be dealt with in accordance with the law,” Cheptumo stated.

Victims identified through operations are being offered medical care, psychosocial support, and reintegration services via state-run Child Protection Centres.

Kenya is also strengthening regional cooperation with INTERPOL, neighbouring governments, and immigration authorities to block cross-border exploitation and the entry of known sex offenders.

The Ministry is further mounting public awareness campaigns targeting tourist areas, transport corridors, lodges, and urban slums where children are most vulnerable.

Community vigilance and reporting are being encouraged to disrupt these illegal networks.

"We urge all Kenyans caregivers, hotel owners, digital platform administrators, and transport workers to be alert and report any suspected abuse," said Cheptumo.

Prosecution efforts are being supported through cooperation with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Judiciary to fast-track cases under the Sexual Offences Act, Children Act, and Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. A repository of ongoing and successful prosecutions is also being maintained to track legal progress.

The CS admitted that justice is often elusive due to the reluctance of vulnerable minors to testify, fearing reprisal or shame.

She called for enhanced witness protection, community sensitisation, and stricter enforcement of local laws that prohibit living off proceeds of prostitution.

“This is not just a criminal justice issue; it is a moral crisis. We must all rise in defence of our children,” she said.

The Ministry reminded the public of reporting channels including the 24/7 Child Helpline (116), police hotlines (999/112), the Fichua Kwa 988# USSD platform, DCI and ODPP portals, and local children’s offices.