The National Police Service has opened investigations into disturbing claims of child sex trafficking in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County, after a BBC Africa Eye documentary exposed the rampant exploitation of underage girls in the town.

The documentary, titled Madams: Exposing Kenya’s Child Sex Trade, was posted on YouTube on August 4, 2025 and revealed how girls, some as young as 12, are manipulated and pushed into sex work under the control of women referred to as “madams.”

The undercover investigation pointed to Maai Mahiu, a busy transport hub about 50 kilometres from Nairobi, as a hotspot for this abuse.

Two undercover journalists, posing as aspiring madams, spent months infiltrating the trade. Their hidden cameras captured women introducing them to underage girls and openly admitting they knew what they were doing was illegal.

In one recording, a woman identified as Nyambura is seen laughing as she says, “They're still children, so it's easy to manipulate them by just handing them sweets.” She went on to say, “Prostitution is a cash crop in Mai Mahiu; the truckers basically fuel it. And that's how we benefit.

It's been normalised in Mai Mahiu.” She claimed to have a 13-year-old girl who had been “working” for six months. “It becomes very risky when you're dealing with minors. You can't just bring them out openly in town. I only sneak them out at night in great secrecy,” she said.

The BBC handed its evidence to Kenyan police in March and believes the women involved may have since moved.

In response, the police confirmed on Tuesday, August 6, that they are treating the matter with urgency.

“We recognise the urgency and gravity of the issues raised and are treating them with the seriousness they deserve,” read a statement issued by Spokesperson and Director of Corporate Communication, Múchiri Nyaga.

“The NPS reaffirms its unwavering commitment to safeguarding Kenya’s children and ensuring that those who exploit or harm them face justice,” it added.

A multi-agency team, including officers from the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit, has been deployed to Maai Mahiu. Police said statements have so far been recorded from three individuals of interest.

“Immediate steps have also been taken to identify, rescue, and support the affected children,” the statement continued.

Investigations are ongoing, and authorities say they are determined to arrest and prosecute those responsible for exploiting minors.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has also pledged to fully investigate all related offences, including trafficking and sexual abuse. The police said this response is anchored in Article 53(1) of the Constitution and Section 8 of the Children Act (2022), which guarantee every child’s right to safety and protection.

“We must reaffirm a fundamental tenet: that our children are our future,” the police said.

Authorities also raised concern about rising cases of online child exploitation. They revealed that Kenya now hosts Africa’s first dedicated forensic cybercrime unit linked directly to INTERPOL’s International Child Sexual Exploitation database. The unit works closely with the International Victim Identification Network to identify and rescue children seen in exploitative online material.

The police called on the public to actively support efforts to combat child exploitation. “We urge all citizens to collaborate proactively with the NPS to achieve this goal,” they said.

Anyone with information has been urged to report to any police station or law enforcement officer, or call toll-free numbers 999, 112, or 0800 722 203. Police also shared an encrypted WhatsApp number: 0709 570 000.