Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has condemned the exploitation of teenage girls in Mai Mahiu following a BBC documentary that exposed trafficking of minors for commercial sex in the area.
In a statement on Thursday, August 7, Kihika expressed outrage and heartbreak over the findings of the investigation.
"I have watched with deep concern and heartbreak the recent BBC exposé highlighting the shocking prevalence of trafficking teenage girls for commercial sex in Mai Mahiu. The revelations are not only disturbing but also a grave indictment of our collective moral fabric and institutional vigilance," she said.
Kihika made it clear that her administration would not stand by as children are abused, describing it as a societal emergency.
"As the Governor of Nakuru County and a mother, I am appalled that children, some as young as 12, are being lured, exploited, and abandoned in a vicious cycle of poverty, abuse, and neglect. This is not just a law enforcement issue; it is a moral and societal emergency," she added.
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Kihika appealed to the Ministry of Interior and the County Security Committee to take immediate steps to dismantle trafficking networks and prosecute those responsible.
"I call upon the national government, and specifically the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, to act with urgency.
"I am urging the County Security Committee to immediately launch a coordinated crackdown on all individuals, networks, and establishments implicated in the abuse of minors. No one—regardless of their status—will be spared accountability," she further said.
Kihika also announced a county-level emergency response to provide support to affected girls.
"Furthermore, I have directed the County Departments of Children Services, Gender, and Youth Affairs to deploy emergency response teams to Mai Mahiu. These teams will begin immediate rescue operations, psychosocial support, and medical assistance to the affected girls. We are also working closely with the Department of Education to reintegrate rescued children into school programs," she added.
On Wednesday, August 6, the National Police Service (NPS) acknowledged the severity of the revelations, and assured the public that law enforcement agencies are addressing the situation.
"The National Police Service (NPS) has taken note of the BBC Africa Eye documentary titled "Madams: Exposing Kenya's Child Sex Trade." We recognise the urgency and gravity of the issues raised and are treating them with the seriousness they deserve.
"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. 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," the statement read.
NPS further acknowledged the growing concern of digital exploitation, revealing that it has developed a new cybercrime unit to combat online child sexual abuse materials and identify victims.
"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.
"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," the statement added.
