Child pornography takes place under police watch in Diani, South Coast, the Star has established.
Sources within the police force told the Star that four foreigners allegedly behind the making of porn videos enjoy protection by senior officers.
A detective in Kwale county, who sought anonymity, said the foreigners pay handsomely for the protection.
"We have all the information and we sympathise with the youths being lured into the business,” the officer said.
Diani resident Mwakondo Athman Ali said the youths are aged 14 to 25.
The four foreigners fled after they were attacked by a group of drug addicts opposed to the business, following a police tip-off, one source said.
The addicts stormed a house suspected to be the main venue for shooting gay porn movies, and stole flash disks containing the foreigners' nude photos and other items.
A Diani cyber cafe attendant said the content was sold after the raid.
More than 800 photos of children lured into sex trafficking using drugs and money have been posted on social media, said Bongwe/Gombato MCA Omar Boga.
“We are going through them but have already identified some of the children who are locals,” he said in Kwale on Monday.
Boga said two Italians whose photos are among the 800 are suspected to be behind the syndicate.
“We told police about the issue but it is difficult to arrest suspects if they are not caught in the act,” he said.
He said the authorities will go to the Italian embassy and demand their arrest, adding that they will be banned from visiting the country.
“We cannot allow people to come and destroy our children,” he said.
“If it was only adults we would be silent, but this issue is touching on the rights of children."
Nominated MCA Fatuma Jirani said the activities are irreligious.
She noted that the assembly has powers to pass laws against those found engaging in unnatural sexual acts.
The foreigners are said to have come to Kenya in the guise of helping the poor.
Jirani said tourists with ill intentions will not be tolerated.
Msambweni police boss Joseph Omijah said on phone that the police have evidence of the illegal trade.
“Investigations are ongoing with the help of locals who know the suspects well,” Omijah said.
He said no arrests have been made so far.
