NAIROBI, Kenya – The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has ordered the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate allegations of child sex trafficking in Maai Mahiu, Nakuru County, within seven days, following the release of a harrowing BBC documentary.
The exposé, titled “Madam: Exposing Kenya’s Child Sex Trade”, aired earlier this week on BBC Africa Eye and uncovered shocking details of minors allegedly being trafficked and sexually exploited in the region.
In a statement on Thursday, the ODPP said the documentary had sparked widespread public concern and may point to serious criminal violations under Kenyan law.
“The content of this documentary has understandably triggered widespread public concern,” read the ODPP’s statement. “The allegations point to serious violations of children’s rights and may amount to grave criminal offences.”
PRESS STATEMENTINVESTIGATION ON REPORTED CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION IN NAIVASHA.#HakiNaUsawa
The ODPP has directed the DCI to submit a comprehensive investigation file within seven days for review and possible prosecution, invoking Article 157(4) of the Constitution which empowers the Director of Public Prosecutions to direct investigations into criminal conduct.
The agency reiterated its commitment to upholding children’s rights, citing Article 53 of the Constitution, which guarantees protection from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, and all forms of violence and exploitation.
“We reaffirm our constitutional mandate to prosecute all offences, including those involving human rights violations and crimes against children,” the statement added.
Multi-Agency Crackdown Underway
Following the release of the documentary, the DCI has already launched a multi-agency investigation, deploying officers from the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit (AHTCPU) to Maai Mahiu.
National Police Service (NPS) Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga confirmed on Wednesday that the operation was in full swing, with statements taken from at least three persons of interest.
“We recognise the urgency and gravity of the issues raised and are treating them with the seriousness they deserve,” said Nyaga.
He added that immediate steps had been taken to identify, rescue, and support affected minors, with the goal of arresting and prosecuting all perpetrators involved in the trafficking ring.
Growing Calls for Accountability
The BBC investigation has reignited national outrage over the state’s failure to protect vulnerable children and drawn condemnation from civil society groups, child rights advocates, and lawmakers.
The documentary detailed how young girls, some as young as 11, are lured into sex work by female traffickers—referred to as “madams”—in Maai Mahiu, a busy transport town known for its high levels of poverty and transient populations.
As investigations unfold, public attention remains fixed on the government’s response to a crisis that many say has long simmered beneath the surface, exposing glaring gaps in Kenya’s child protection systems.
The ODPP has promised to keep the public updated and to pursue justice without fear or favour.
