The rise in trafficking and sexual exploitation of children in Kenya is a national crisis. The analysis by the National Council on the Administration of Justice paints a grim picture: nearly 70 per cent of cases against children involve these heinous crimes.
This is unacceptable. The data, reported in this newspaper, reveal that children aged 13 to 15 are the most affected, but no age group is spared.
Even infants and toddlers are victims. Beyond trafficking and sexual abuse, children endure physical violence, emotional abuse, and harmful cultural practices like female genital mutilation and child marriage. Kenya’s response so far has been inadequate.
While counselling services have helped some children cope with trauma, they cannot undo the damage caused by these crimes.
The judiciary processed over 16,000 child-related cases last year, yet justice alone is not enough. Prevention is key. We must strengthen community vigilance and empower local leaders to identify and report cases of abuse.
Technology companies must also crack down on online exploitation, which is becoming increasingly rampant. At the same time, Kenya must adopt harsher penalties for perpetrators.
The government must also invest in shelters, counselling and legal aid for survivors.
HISTORICAL QUOTE
“But silence is where victims dwell.”
NELLY SACHS
The German-Swedish poet, playwright and Nobel laureate
was born on December 10, 1891.
