Kenya has reaffirmed its strong commitment to the global fight against human trafficking, with senior government leaders calling for united action to protect vulnerable populations—especially children—from exploitation.
Speaking during the commemoration of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage, Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, underscored Kenya’s resolve to confront the growing threat of trafficking and safeguard its people.
“Today, Kenya stands in solidarity with the global community in marking World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, with a firm focus on safeguarding our children from exploitation and abuse,” said CS Cheptumo.
She described child trafficking as a gross violation of human rights and a direct threat to national development, urging collective responsibility for prevention and protection.
“We call on all stakeholders—families, communities, civil society, and security agencies—to work together to protect every child from trafficking. Prevention starts with each of us.”
Cheptumo further highlighted Kenya’s commitment to strengthening legal and policy frameworks, enhancing early detection, supporting survivor rehabilitation, and raising public awareness to root out trafficking networks.
Principal Secretary for the State Department for Children Services, Carren Ageng’o, echoed these sentiments, describing human trafficking as an organized crime that thrives on deception and desperation.
“Human trafficking thrives on deception and exploitation, luring victims with false promises of greener pastures only to trap them in modern slavery,” said Ageng’o.
“Together, let us recognize that trafficking in persons is organized crime and end the exploitation.”
Ageng’o urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and verify job opportunities abroad through the National Employment Authority (NEA), ensure work contracts are signed, and secure proper visas—measures that can help prevent individuals from falling prey to traffickers posing as recruiters or acquaintances.
A 2022 National Crime Research Centre study exposed troubling trends: children account for 44.4% of victims in domestic trafficking, while adults make up the majority in internal and cross-border cases. Victims are commonly exploited for forced labour, sexual abuse, and emerging crimes like forced online fraud in foreign syndicates.
Despite the growing complexity of trafficking, Kenya has made notable progress. Aligned with the Counter Trafficking in Persons Act, 2010, recent efforts include: rescuing 153 Kenyan nationals trafficked to Myanmar and forced into online scamming operations; training over 700 law enforcement officers, justice officials, and aviation staff to identify and respond to trafficking cases; supporting 35 survivors through the National Assistance Trust Fund, helping them rebuild through small businesses; as well as establishing a government-run shelter for victims, providing a safe space for recovery and reintegration.
Stakeholders attending the commemoration in Nakuru discussed strategies to improve early identification, reporting, and prevention. The public was urged to report suspected cases to the Counter Trafficking in Persons Secretariat or the National Crime Research Centre.
Observed annually on 30 July, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons serves as a call to action across the globe—to stand with victims, hold traffickers accountable, and ensure no one is left behind in the fight against modern slavery.
