Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, has denounced a recent BBC Africa Eye documentary as a hoax that unfairly damages the nation’s reputation. The documentary, Madams: Exposing Kenya’s Child Sex Trade, aired on 4 August and focused on the exploitation of underage girls some as young as 13 in Maai Mahiu.
Murkomen told reporters on 12 August that the documentary missed the mark because some interviewees allegedly lied about their age to secure “promised sponsorship” from the BBC team. He clarified that authorities have launched inquiries into the journalists themselves, aiming to verify financial records, call logs and the whereabouts of key witnesses. “Our investigations have established that the BBC team primarily sought underage girls involved in sex work. However, some of the girls falsified their age. The documentary failed to reach the intended purpose due to falsified information from several interviewees,” he said.
Voice from Maai Mahiu: Local Reality
The BBC’s report conveyed a chilling account of how young girls are drawn into sex work in Maai Mahiu. One woman featured in the film, identified only as Nyambura, said: “Prostitution is a cash crop in Maai Mahiu; the truckers basically fuel it. And that’s how we benefit. It’s been normalized in Maai Mahiu.”
Authorities Respond with Investigations
Following the broadcast, the National Police Service confirmed it had initiated investigations into the claims. Meanwhile, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions instructed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to complete its inquiry within seven days. A spokesperson noted the ODPP’s constitutional duty under Article 53 to safeguard children from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Kenyan Police Investigate Allegations from BBC Child-Sex-Trade Documentary
The National Police Service (NPS) has launched a formal investigation following allegations made in the BBC Africa Eye documentary on child sex trafficking in Maai Mahiu. The exposé, released on 4 August, claimed that girls as young as 13 were being exploited in the small town, with long-distance truck drivers fueling the illegal trade.
According to police, the probe will focus on verifying the credibility of the claims and identifying victims, perpetrators and any networks involved. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to complete its inquiry within a week, citing its constitutional duty to protect children from abuse and exploitation.
The government has expressed scepticism over the report, with some officials alleging that certain interviewees misrepresented their age. Nonetheless, law enforcement has pledged to treat the matter seriously, stating that any credible evidence of child exploitation will lead to prosecution.
ODPP Orders Seven-Day Investigation into BBC Child Exploitation Claims
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has instructed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to probe allegations raised in the BBC documentary on child sex trafficking in Maai Mahiu. The directive, issued after the exposé’s release, requires the DCI to submit its findings within seven days.
In a statement, the ODPP reaffirmed its constitutional duty to address offences involving human rights violations and crimes against children. It cited Article 53 of the Constitution, which guarantees every child protection from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices and all forms of violence and exploitation.
The move signals the government’s intent to treat the allegations with urgency. Authorities say the investigation will seek to establish the truth of the claims and if substantiated, ensure those responsible face prosecution under Kenyan law.
Claims and Accountability
On one side, the BBC’s documentary paints a powerful picture of systemic exploitation and coercion. On the other, Murkomen insists that deceit from some interviewees undermines the report’s credibility and misleads the public.
So far, no arrests have been made. Authorities have yet to present results from their investigations and the BBC has not issued a new statement responding to Murkomen’s concerns.
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