Study warns child trafficking is rising in Kenya
Child trafficking is increasing in Kenya despite existing laws and programmes aimed at protecting children from exploitation, with poverty, family instability, displacement and online grooming emerging as major drivers, a new study has found. The study warns that the true scale of child trafficking remains unclear because of inconsistencies in data held by government agencies, [...] The post…
A new study has revealed a rise in child trafficking in Kenya, despite existing laws and anti-exploitation programs, according to the National Crime Research Center. Poverty, family instability, displacement, and online grooming are identified as major drivers of this alarming trend.
Researchers examined 13 hotspots across the country, including Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, and others, where 390 participants shared their insights through interviews and group discussions. Girls aged 5-17 and boys aged 1-5 were found to be particularly vulnerable to various forms of trafficking, such as sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, forced begging, illegal adoption, and forced marriage.
Child trafficking networks span across counties and international borders, with some counties serving as sources, transit points, and destinations. Key destination areas include Kiambu, Nairobi, Narok, Kilifi, Kwale, Migori, Kajiado, and Nakuru, driven by demand for child labour in agriculture, manufacturing, domestic work, and small businesses. Garissa, Wajir, Kisumu, and Kakamega are identified as significant source areas due to poverty, drought, limited economic opportunities, and displacement.
Online platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and WhatsApp, have become new avenues for traffickers to identify, groom, and recruit children. The study highlights the need for prevention measures that address both physical and online environments.
Written by urgent.news from KahawaTungu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
