Nairobi, Kenya- Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has sharply criticised a BBC Africa Eye documentary, accusing it of misrepresenting facts and tarnishing Kenya’s image.
The investigative film, Madams: Exposing Kenya’s Child Sex Trade, released on August 4, 2025, focused on Maai Mahiu town and alleged rampant sexual exploitation of underage girls. The exposé claimed girls as young as 13 were being lured into the sex trade by truck drivers and other clients.
One interviewee, identified as Nyambura, was quoted saying: “Prostitution is a cash crop in Maai Mahiu; the truckers basically fuel it. And that’s how we benefit. It’s been normalised in Maai Mahiu.”
Government Pushback
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, Murkomen alleged that some of the girls interviewed had falsified their ages to meet a “promised sponsorship” requirement by the BBC team. He claimed the misinformation compromised the credibility of the documentary.
“Our investigations have established that the BBC team primarily sought underage girls involved in sex work. However, some of the girls falsified their age to qualify for the promised sponsorship,” Murkomen said.
He added that no arrests had been made yet, but investigations are ongoing, including reviewing financial records, call data, and efforts to trace the witnesses featured in the film.
Investigations Widen
Following the documentary’s release, the National Police Service (NPS) launched a probe into the allegations. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has since directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate the claims and submit findings within seven days.
“The ODPP is mandated to prosecute all offences, including those involving human rights violations and crimes against children. Article 53 of the Constitution guarantees the rights of children, including protection from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, and all forms of violence and exploitation,” the statement from the ODPP read in part.
Warning to Journalists
Murkomen also issued a stern caution to the journalists involved in producing the documentary, warning that police could take action against them if investigations linked them to misconduct.
While the government maintains the documentary was flawed, child rights advocates have stressed the urgency of addressing sexual exploitation in vulnerable communities, urging authorities to ensure any probe remains thorough and victim-focused.
