IG Kanja Orders Investigation After BBC Exposé on Child Sex Trade in Kenya
The National Police Service (NPS) has launched a major investigation into a disturbing child exploitation ring after a powerful BBC Africa Eye documentary revealed shocking cases of child sexual abuse in Maai Mahiu.
The documentary, titled “Madams: Exposing Kenya’s Child Sex Trade”, aired this week and exposed horrifying instances of underage girls, some as young as 13, being trafficked and forced into sex work.
The investigation showed that these acts are often facilitated by women known locally as “madams,” who play a central role in luring and controlling the victims.
In immediate response to the documentary, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja ordered a full deployment of a multi-agency task force to Maai Mahiu and surrounding areas.
The team includes officers from the specialised Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit (AHTCPU).
According to police, the team has already reached the area and started taking action. This includes gathering information, conducting interviews, and identifying key suspects involved in the criminal network.
So far, three individuals have come forward and recorded statements as persons of interest in connection with the exploitation ring. Investigators are now working hard to locate, rescue, and provide support to any children who may have been harmed or are still at risk.
The police have also raised concerns about a rising trend in online child sexual exploitation. To tackle this threat, a special forensic cybercrime unit has been created.
This unit is directly connected to INTERPOL’s International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) database and is designed to track down digital evidence linked to child abuse. It is the first unit of its kind in Africa and aims to strengthen the fight against online predators.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) remains committed to fully investigating every reported case of child trafficking, sexual abuse, and exploitation,” the police statement read. “This is in accordance with Article 53(1) of the Constitution of Kenya and Section 8 of the Children Act (2022), which guarantee that every child in Kenya has the right to be protected and to grow up in a safe environment. Our children represent the future, and their safety must be our top priority.”
The forensic cybercrime unit is also working with international partners, including the Victim Identification Network (VIN). This cooperation allows faster identification and rescue of children who appear in illegal digital content, helping authorities act quickly to protect victims.
The National Police Service is now calling on all Kenyans to play their part in ending these crimes by reporting any suspicious behavior or activities. They stressed that community cooperation is vital in helping to uncover and dismantle child exploitation networks.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests and rescue operations are expected as they dig deeper into the network exposed by the BBC documentary.
Join Gen Z & Millennials New WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
