{
  "id": 11204393,
  "title": "Study warns child trafficking is rising in Kenya",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/study-warns-child-trafficking-is-rising-in-kenya",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T13:57:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KahawaTungu",
    "slug": "kahawatungu",
    "url": "https://kahawatungu.com/study-warns-child-trafficking-is-rising-in-kenya/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nResearchers 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.\n\nChild 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.\n\nOnline 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.",
  "summary": "A new study conducted by the National Crime Research Center warns that child trafficking in Kenya is on the rise, despite existing laws and programmes aimed at protecting children. The study, which examined 13 hotspot counties, found that poverty, family instability, displacement, and online grooming are major drivers of the issue. Researchers identified girls aged five to 17 as the most vulnerable group, with sexual exploitation, domestic labour, and forced marriage being the primary risks. Boys aged one to five were found to be particularly vulnerable to illegal adoption, while older boys faced labour exploitation and criminal recruitment. The study also revealed that child trafficking networks operate across county and international borders, with some counties serving as sources, transit points, and destinations.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}