Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has dismissed a recent BBC documentary exposing child sex trafficking in Kenya, calling it a “hoax” meant to damage the country’s reputation.
The documentary, titled “Madams: Exposing Kenya’s Child Sex Trade”, was released by BBC Africa Eye on August 4, 2025. It focuses on the rising cases of underage girls being lured into the sex trade in Maai Mahiu, a town along a busy highway known for transit traffic.
Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday, Murkomen claimed that some of the girls interviewed in the documentary had falsified their age in order to qualify for what he described as “promised sponsorship” from the BBC.
“Our investigations show that some girls lied about their age to receive support from the BBC team. The documentary’s findings are, therefore, unreliable,” said Murkomen.
He added that while no arrests have been made so far, police are actively investigating the individuals featured in the exposé and reviewing financial records and call data to verify their claims. The Cabinet Secretary also issued a stern warning to the journalists behind the documentary, saying they could face legal consequences for their role.
“The focus has now shifted to those who created this documentary. The police will take action against any journalist found to have broken the law,” Murkomen warned.
The documentary paints a bleak picture of how girls, some as young as 13, are being drawn into prostitution, often manipulated by adults promising them money or jobs.
One of the interviewees, a woman named Nyambura, claimed that sex work has become normalized in Maai Mahiu.
“Prostitution is a cash crop in Maai Mahiu. Truck drivers fuel the trade, and the town benefits from it,” she said in the film.
In response to the exposé, the National Police Service (NPS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) launched investigations. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) also directed that findings be submitted within seven days.
The ODPP emphasized that the Constitution of Kenya protects all children from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, and exploitation under Article 53.
“We are committed to ensuring that all forms of child abuse, including trafficking, are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the ODPP said in a statement.
While investigations are underway, the case has stirred public debate. Some have praised the documentary for shedding light on an issue often hidden in plain sight, while others like Murkomen argue it paints Kenya in a negative light and lacks credibility.
As the probe continues, the country waits to see whether justice will be served or whether the controversy will deepen further.
