Maai Mahiu: DCI Dispatches Special Team to Rescue Children in BBC Sexual Exploitation Documentary
- A BBC Africa Eye investigation uncovered a trafficking network involving underage girls in Maai Mahiu, a transit town
- The National Police Service has since launched investigations, including arresting some persons of interest
- Authorities also flagged the growing threat of digital sexual abuse of children, with Kenya deploying a forensic cybercrime unit linked to global networks
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TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
Maai Mahiu, what appears to be a busy transport hub in Nakuru county is, in reality, hiding a disturbing secret.
Source: UGC
A BBC Africa Eye investigation uncovered a network exploiting girls as young as 13, with the involvement of local women known as “madams.”
The town, located about 50 kilometres from Nairobi, serves as a key transit point for cargo and passenger vehicles heading to countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Over time, it has developed a reputation for illicit activity, and the BBC's report revealed that children were among those being taken advantage of.
Are children undergoing sexual exploitation in Maai Mahiu?
Earlier this year, two undercover reporters posed as newcomers seeking to join the trade.
Over several months, they filmed interactions with women who admitted their actions were unlawful and introduced them to underage girls caught in the network.
In one clip, a woman identified as Nyambura was seen laughing while saying that children could easily be manipulated using small treats like sweets.
The BBC reportedly handed over its findings to Kenyan authorities in March. The media house later reported that the women involved appeared to have relocated.
According to the outlet, police confirmed they received the evidence but said neither the women nor the children captured on camera could be traced.
What did police say about Maai Mahiu children exploitation?
On August 6, the Office of the Inspector General, Douglas Kanja, issued a statement indicating that a multi-agency team had been dispatched, including specialists from the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit (AHTCPU).
Police said statements had been taken from three individuals of interest who are already in custody.
“Immediate steps have been taken to identify, rescue, and support the affected children,” read part of the police statement, adding that investigations were ongoing with the aim of arresting and prosecuting those responsible.
The statement further said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is committed to protecting minors as required under Article 53(1) of the Constitution of Kenya and Section 8 of the Children Act (2022).
It said all reported cases of child trafficking and exploitation would be handled thoroughly.
Authorities also highlighted a growing concern over abuse in the digital space, which they said led to the creation of a specialised forensic cybercrime unit, the first of its kind in Africa.
Source: UGC
The unit works closely with INTERPOL’s International Child Exploitation (ICSE) database and the International Victim Identification Network (VIN) to trace and rescue minors depicted in exploitative online content.
As investigations continue, the DCI urged members of the public to share any information that could help in dismantling the network.
“We encourage all citizens to work with the National Police Service in addressing these crimes. Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the nearest police station or use our toll-free lines: 999, 112, 0800722203, or WhatsApp 0709570000,” the statement read.
Why was Chebochok's appointment blocked?
The BBC exposé mirrors an earlier investigation by the same outlet, which exposed how women were being sexually exploited in order to get jobs on tea farms.
That documentary featured undercover footage and testimonies implicating several individuals, including John Chebochok, who has remained a controversial figure.
Chebochok had recently been elected as the zonal director for Toror Tea Factory in Kericho County.
However, the High Court suspended his swearing-in after five petitioners challenged his appointment, arguing that it posed a serious risk to the financial stability and public image of Tegat Tea Factory, which owns the facility.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
