Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Kenya has condemned the horrific child trafficking and sexual exploitation network uncovered in the BBC Africa Eye investigative documentary MADAM: Exposing Kenya’s Child Sex Trade.
The exposé reveals a deeply disturbing criminal operation in Maai Mahiu, Nakuru County, where girls as young as 13 are coerced into sex work by women known as “madams,” often under the pretense of offering mentorship and protection.
“This is a painful reminder of the systemic failures that continue to endanger the lives of vulnerable girls across Kenya,” FAWE Kenya said in a statement.
“It is a direct assault on the dignity, safety, and future of our children, and a violation of rights enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya, the Children Act (2022), and international conventions safeguarding minors.”
FAWE Kenya has called for urgent action from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the National Police Service to investigate and prosecute all perpetrators and dismantle the networks involved.
The organisation also urged government agencies, particularly the Department of Children’s Services, to outline concrete measures to prevent recurrence, strengthen victim protection, and address systemic weaknesses.
FAWE further called for comprehensive psychosocial support, medical care, education reintegration, and economic empowerment for survivors, as well as a review of laws on online exploitation, trafficking, and commercial sexual exploitation of children, with stricter penalties and more effective enforcement.
FAWE Kenya expressed solidarity with the survivors, whistleblowers, and journalists who risked their safety to expose this abuse, reaffirming its commitment to building a Kenya where every girl is safe, educated, and empowered.
The BBC said it gave all its evidence to the Kenyan police in March.
On August 6, the National Police Service (NPS) said it had launched a swift and comprehensive investigation after the documentary was aired.
NPS, through Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, emphasised the urgency and severity of the matter, noting that it has since deployed a multi-agency team to address the crisis head-on.
The team, which includes specialised officers from the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit (AHTCPU), were dispatched to Maai Mahiu and have taken statements from three persons of interest as part of the ongoing investigation, according to Nyaga.
