Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has challenged the accuracy of a recent BBC Africa Eye exposé on child sexual exploitation in Kenya, alleging that some of the individuals portrayed as minors were in fact adults posing as underage victims.
The documentary, Madams: Exposing Kenya’s Child Sex Trade, aired recently, spotlighting alleged networks in Maai Mahiu, Nakuru County, where girls reportedly as young as 12 are lured into prostitution under the control of “madams.” The BBC investigation described the Rift Valley town, 50 kilometres east of Nairobi, as a hub for child sexual abuse.
Speaking before the National Assembly on Wednesday, Murkomen maintained that while sexual exploitation of minors remains a real problem in the country, the specific cases featured in the documentary were, in his view, misrepresented.
“The entire report was fake, because the people who were interviewed were not underage. That is not to say there may be no cases of sexual exploitation of young people in the country,” he said, adding that he had reviewed the identities and backgrounds of those interviewed.
Murkomen also noted that Kenya’s security agencies, including the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit, have made significant progress in combating exploitation. However, he acknowledged that the country continues to face human trafficking challenges, including cases involving young adults from neighbouring countries who are deceived with false job promises.
In response to the documentary, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed it had launched investigations into the allegations in Maai Mahiu. NPS Spokesperson Múchiri Nyaga said the matter is being treated with “urgency and gravity,” reaffirming the service’s commitment to protecting children and ensuring perpetrators face justice.
Civil society groups have called for swift action. The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Department of Children’s Services to dismantle any networks involved, strengthen victim protection, and address systemic gaps enabling such exploitation.
The controversy has sparked debate over the credibility of undercover journalism and the need for robust verification, even as Kenya continues to battle deeply rooted trafficking and exploitation networks.
