Kenya’s women governors have strongly condemned the alleged child sex exploitation in Maai Mahiu, Nakuru County, describing it as an abhorrent violation of human rights that demands urgent government action.
The G7 Women Governors’ Caucus, led by Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, issued a statement decrying the reported exploitation and trafficking of children, particularly girls, as revealed in the recent BBC Africa Eye documentary “Madams: Exposing Kenya’s Child Sex Trade.” The documentary exposed disturbing scenes of minors some as young as 12 being coerced into the sex trade under the control of so-called “madams.”
“This tragedy reflects a deep societal failure,” the governors said. “We cannot, and must not, turn a blind eye while children are robbed of their innocence, manipulated, and abused under the veil of poverty, impunity, and systemic neglect.”
The caucus called on the Ministry of Interior, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to swiftly investigate and prosecute all perpetrators, including traffickers, facilitators, and clients. They further urged that law enforcement officers who enable or ignore such crimes face accountability.
Alongside justice, the governors proposed a comprehensive multi-agency programme for rescuing, rehabilitating, and reintegrating victims into society. This, they said, must include medical treatment, access to education, and psychosocial support to help survivors rebuild their lives.
They also emphasised the need to address the root causes of exploitation poverty, lack of education, and weak enforcement of child protection laws while pledging to work with civil society, faith-based groups, local leaders, and international partners to strengthen child protection systems in all counties.
“No child should be for sale. No child should be invisible,” the statement stressed.
In a separate statement, Governor Waiguru described the Maai Mahiu situation as “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” reaffirming the G7 governors’ united demand for immediate rescue operations and full accountability for all involved.
The National Police Service (NPS) has already confirmed that investigations into the allegations are underway, following the public outcry sparked by the documentary’s revelations.
