BBC fires back at CS Murkomen over investigative documentary on Kenya’s child sex trade

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has dismissed allegations by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen that its recent investigative documentary on child sex trafficking in Mai Mahiu was fabricated.

In a statement on Thursday, August 14, the broadcaster defended its exposé, “MADAMS: Exposing Kenya’s Child Sex Trade”, rejecting claims that its sources were “paid, pampered, or coached” to appear in the programme.

The BBC also denied Murkomen’s assertions that some contributors falsified their ages to pose as minors. The organisation clarified that all survivors featured were over 18 and were recounting abuse they suffered when they were children.

“None of the contributors featured in this film were paid, offered payment or coached in any way,” BBC Africa Eye stated.

“We are thankful to the survivors for their brave contributions.”

Murkomen, while appearing before Parliament on Wednesday, August 13, alleged that post-exposure investigations by the Interior Ministry found that four women claimed BBC journalists had approached them to seek vulnerable girls aged between 17 and 21 for what they described as a fictitious foreign sponsorship programme.

The CS further alleged that the women interviewed in the documentary were linked to each other and that two women portrayed as traffickers had since relocated after receiving “large financial promises.”

The BBC expressed concern over the manner in which the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) questioned survivors who took part in the documentary, stating that some interviews were conducted without legal counsel present.

The investigative film, which aired earlier this month, revealed how two women referred to as “madams” allegedly operated a child sex trafficking ring, with one boasting of having a girl as young as 13 in her care. It detailed how children were groomed into the trade through manipulation, including the use of sweets and money.

The documentary’s release triggered public outrage, with Kenyans calling for the swift arrest of the suspects.