Kihika demands action, rescue of victims in child sex trade expose

Nakuru governor Susan Kihika makes her speech during the G-7 women empowerment forum at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos town on August 16, 2024. [John Muia, Standard]

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has urged the Interior Ministry to crack down on individuals implicated in a recent BBC expose that revealed the trafficking of teenage girls for commercial sex in Mai Mahiu.

In a statement dated August 7, Kihika said she was concerned for the safety of children following the documentary's revelations.

"I am urging the County Security Committee to immediately launch a coordinated crackdown on all individuals, networks, and establishments implicated in the abuse of minors. No one, regardless of their status, will be spared accountability," said Kihika.

The undercover documentary, filmed over several months, exposed how minors are sexually exploited by truck drivers passing through Mai Mahiu en route to Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kihika described the exploitation of children, some as young as 12 years, as a "moral and societal emergency."

She directed the county's Departments of Children Services, Gender, and Youth Affairs to deploy emergency response teams to Mai Mahiu.

"These teams will begin immediate rescue operations, psychosocial support, and medical assistance to the affected girls," she added.

The county also plans to work with the Education Department to reintegrate rescued children into school.

"Let me be clear: the exploitation of our children will not be tolerated in Nakuru County. We must restore dignity, protect the vulnerable, and hold all enablers of this evil to account."

As of Wednesday, police had launched investigations into the trafficking network.

A multi-agency team, including officers from the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit, had been deployed to record statements, rescue victims and arrest suspects.