A recent investigation by BBC Africa Eye has exposed how girls as young as 13 are being lured into sex trafficking by women known as “madams” in Maai Mahiu area of Nakuru.
Many of these children are orphans or come from broken homes. They are vulnerable, scared, and easy to manipulate.
These madams promise the girls safety, food, or work, only to sell them into the sex trade.
Maai Mahiu is a small town about 50 km from Nairobi. Every day, trucks pass through on their way to Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the DRC. Because of this, prostitution has long been part of the town’s economy.
Except now, children, not just adults, are being sexually exploited here.
The Women Behind the Trade
Two women openly admitted to running child prostitution rings.
One of them, who called herself Nyambura, laughed as she described how easy it is to control young girls:
“They are still children, so it’s easy to manipulate them by handing them sweets,” she said.
Nyambura introduced the reporters to girls as young as 13. One had already been “working” for six months. She said she only brought them out at night, in secret, to avoid getting caught.
Another woman, Cheptoo, revealed how much she earns from the girls.
“If a girl earns 3,000 shillings, I take 2,500,” she said.
She also admitted that some clients refused to use condoms, and the girls had no choice but to comply.
What the Girls Say
In private conversations, the girls explained the horrors they face:
- Having sex with multiple men daily
- Being forced to perform disturbing acts
- Facing pressure to have unprotected sex
- Being scared to say no
One 13-year-old girl said she had sex with five men a day. When asked why she did not insist on protection, she said,
“If I refuse, I will be chased away. I have nowhere else to go. I am an orphan.“
Why the Authorities Are Struggling
Even though the BBC gave evidence to Kenyan police in March, no arrests have been made. The madams and victims have disappeared.
Convictions are difficult in Kenya because the law often requires child victims to testify in court. But most are too traumatized or afraid to do so.
Under Kenyan law, child trafficking carries a penalty of 10 years to life in prison. But without brave witnesses or urgent government action, justice remains out of reach.
There is, however, a ray of hope.
A former sex worker known as “Baby Girl” is now offering shelter and healing to girls who manage to escape. She was once a victim too, and now she helps survivors learn skills like photography and beauty therapy.
By Vivian K.