BBC Denies Faking Report on Sex Exploitation After Murkomen's Claims: “Handed Evidence to Police”
- Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen told Parliament the BBC Africa Eye documentary on child sex trafficking in Kenya was fabricated and misrepresented its subjects
- He claimed those filmed were not minors at the time, alleged they were promised payments, and said two women portrayed as traffickers went into hiding after cash offers
- The BBC rejected the accusations, saying survivors were over 18 when interviewed, recounted abuse suffered as minors, and were neither paid nor coached
- The broadcaster said it shared evidence with Kenyan police, but key suspects remain free, while some survivors faced lengthy police questioning
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
The BBC has rejected claims by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen that its recent documentary on child sex trafficking in Kenya was a hoax.
Source: Twitter
Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, August 13, Murkomen alleged that the documentary, produced by BBC Africa Eye, misrepresented its subjects and fabricated elements of the story.
He told MPs that those interviewed were not minors at the time of filming and accused the journalists of recruiting participants under false pretences.
According to the CS, police interviewed several individuals featured in the programme, who allegedly said they were promised financial benefits and lifestyle perks to take part.
He claimed that two women portrayed as traffickers in the film had since gone into hiding after being offered substantial payments.
Murkomen further told parliament that while the documentary depicted victims of underage sex trafficking in Maai Mahiu, police had not rescued any minors as a result of the investigation.
How did BBC respond to Murkomen?
In response, the BBC dismissed the allegations and released a detailed statement defending its investigation, Madams: Exposing Kenya’s Child Sex Trade.
The broadcaster said the programme made it clear that all interviewees were adults recounting abuse they suffered when underage.
It insisted that none of the contributors were paid, offered payment, or coached in any way.
"For clarity, none of the contributors featured in this film were paid, offered payment or ‘coached’ in any way. As clearly stated in the film, the survivors of abuse who were interviewed were all over 18 and recounted experiences of abuse that occurred when they were underage. We are thankful to the survivors for their brave contributions," the BBC said.
Does BBC have evidence to back its claims?
The BBC also said it handed over its evidence to the Kenyan police in March 2025, identifying perpetrators and victims in need of urgent assistance.
Footage of two women implicated in the trafficking network was shared with authorities in April, and the broadcaster followed up to ensure that at-risk children would be protected.
Source: Facebook
Police reportedly assured the BBC that action would be taken, although the women have not been apprehended.
"As detailed in the film, we originally handed the evidence gathered during the investigation to the Kenya police in March 2025 in which perpetrators of crimes against children were clearly identified, as were the victims who were in need of urgent assistance," BBC stated.
The BBC noted with concern that survivors who contributed to the film were later questioned at length by Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations without legal representation.
Why did Wetang'ula seek clarification in parliament?
Earlier, Murkomen sparked laughter among MPs when he listed names allegedly linked to a BBC documentary on child sex trafficking in Mai Mahiu.
Among the names mentioned was “Faith Weta,” prompting Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to seek clarification on whether the name was associated with him.
Murkomen assured the House that investigations had not confirmed any connection between the Speaker and the individual.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
