Trafficking of humans still rife in Kenya

By JAMES MBAKA

Kenya: Kenya is leading in human trafficking incidents in the region, as the country is a big source, transit point and destination of trafficked victims.

Participants attending a forum on human trafficking at Kenya School of Monetary Studies in Nairobi noted that the country remains on the radar of human traffickers because of its strategic location.

The country borders Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania, which are known sources of victims.

Most of the victims involved are children, young men and women.

Participants regretted that there were data gaps on local statistics in respect to human trafficking reports, which lacked national perspective.

The Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko told the workshop that his office intends to effectively implement the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act. He said his office will create awareness of the offence and its nature and prevent and combat trafficking, paying attention to women and children.

“We want to develop and adopt a uniform investigative and prosecutorial manual on human trafficking, establish a database on all offences of human trafficking and also train and disseminate knowledge and skills on human trafficking,” Tobiko told the participants in a speech read on his behalf by deputy DPP Dorcas Oduor, yesterday.

He said the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act can only be effectively implemented if all relevant stakeholders are willing to cooperate and play their roles.

The workshop aims to sensitise arresting and investigative officers, immigration officers, prosecutors, judicial officers and institutions engaged in combating human trafficking and implementing the counter-trafficking Act of 2010. The Act became operational in October last year.

The basis for trafficking includes sexual and labour exploitation and begging.