Police Take Action After Uproar On BBC Child Sex Trade Exposé

Investigators have already taken statements from three key suspects and are working to rescue victims while pursuing the trafficking ring's organizers.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Aug 6, 2025 - 21:56
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Police Take Action After Uproar On BBC Child Sex Trade Exposé
Police IG Douglas Kanja addressing the media during inspection visits to Kiamariga and Karatina Police Stations in Nyeri County on April 2, 2025. /NATIONAL POLICE SERVICE

The National Police Service (NPS) has launched a major operation in Maai Mahiu, Nakuru County, following shocking revelations in a BBC Africa Eye documentary that exposed an extensive child sex trafficking network in the area.

In a statement released on Wednesday, August 6, in response to the documentary titled "Madams: Exposing Kenya's Child Sex Trade," the NPS has deployed a specialized Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit (AHTCPU) to the region.

Investigators have already taken statements from three key suspects and are working to rescue victims while pursuing the trafficking ring's organizers.

"In direct response to the documentary, a multi-agency team—including specialised officers from the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit (AHTCPU)—has been deployed to Maai Mahiu, where statements have been taken from three persons of interest," the statement by Muchiri Nyaga, NPS Director of Corporate Communications, read in part.

Photo of the BBC documentary titled "Madams: Exposing Kenya's Child Sex Trade," . /BBC AFRICA EYE

"Immediate steps have also been taken to identify, rescue, and support the affected children. Investigations are ongoing, with the aim of arresting and prosecuting the perpetrators."

NPS added that the crackdown aligns with Article 53(1) of Kenya’s Constitution which outlines the right to protection from abuse, as well as Section 8 of the Children Act (2022) which safeguards against exploitation, further emphasizing that child trafficking and sexual exploitation cases will be investigated thoroughly, with prosecutions to follow.

"We also recognise the growing threat of online child sexual exploitation, which prompted the establishment of a dedicated forensic cybercrime unit—the first of its kind in Africa—linked directly to INTERPOL’s International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) database," added the statement.

"This unit, staffed by cybercrime experts, works closely with the International Victim Identification Network (VIN) to identify and rescue children depicted in exploitative online content."

NPS urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities using either the emergency numbers: 999, 112, the #FichuakwaDCI anonymous tip line and toll-free hotline: 0800 722 203 and NPS's end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp: 0709 570 000

Nyaga reiterated that the NPS is to protect children and ensure justice is served and has vowed to ensure that those who exploit or harm them face justice

The documentary had claimed that the suspects reportedly sell the girls to the highest bidders, mostly long-haul truck drivers transporting goods along the highway to Uganda and other nearby nations.

It also featured testimonies from victims who spoke to undercover BBC journalists, shedding light on the deeply entrenched exploitation taking place across parts of Nakuru and Narok counties.

Despite the journalists alerting local authorities, including police in the affected areas, the documentary noted that no prompt action was taken in response.

Commenting on the issue, People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua described the documentary as both deeply distressing and a stark reflection of widespread institutional failure.

"Children as young as 12 are being trafficked, abused and discarded right here in Kenya! Outrage is not enough. We need urgent justice and reform!" Karua demanded.

"We demand that all individuals and networks implicated in these trafficking rings be arrested and prosecuted! There should be zero protection for predators, regardless of their status."

Nyambura (left) and Cheptoo (right) who told undercover investigators how they exposed children to prostitution in Maai Mahiu - a trucking hub. /BBC

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