In a shocking revelation, a BBC Africa Eye investigation has uncovered a disturbing network of child prostitution in Maai Mahiu, a key transit town in Kenya. Renowned for its bustling trucking operations, the town serves as a backdrop for seasoned sex workers known as “madams,” who have reportedly been recruiting underage girls as young as 13 into prostitution.
Amid the hustle and bustle of trucks transporting goods across eastern Africa, undercover investigators posed as sex workers eager to learn the ropes and soon infiltrated the sinister world of exploitation in this Rift Valley town. Their findings, obtained through secret filming, unveiled two women—Nyambura and Cheptoo—who knowingly guided them into the risky territory of child sex work.
Despite the clear evidence delivered to Kenyan authorities as early as March, the quest for justice has faced hurdles, with no arrests made. Many of the exploited minors are too fearful to testify. Nyambura remarked, “They're still children,” revealing the manipulative tactics used to control young girls by offering them sweets, while Cheptoo spoke candidly about her profits, stating that her share was substantially higher than the girls’ earnings.
The complex dynamics surrounding prostitution in Maai Mahiu are exacerbated by legal ambiguities. Although sex work isn’t strictly criminalized under national law, it is illegal to profit from it, creating a gray area that many exploit.
Children like Michelle and Lilian, whose faces reflect years of trauma, shared their heartbreaking narratives with the BBC. Both fell prey to a cycle of abuse that began at home, driving them into the arms of predators and ultimately leading them into sex work under the control of madams.
This grim reality extends to the broader community. Activists, like the former sex worker “Baby Girl,” are now working to provide refuge and skill development for those escaping the brutal cycle. However, looming cuts in aid threaten to dismantle these critical support systems, leaving vulnerable children at risk.
Addressing the pain of the past, Lilian stated, “I am not afraid anymore, because Baby Girl is there for me.” Yet as resources dwindle, the future remains uncertain for countless others caught in this harrowing cycle of exploitation.
