Murkomen calls BBC exposé on child sex trade a hoax, says hunt on for journalists involved

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has condemned the BBC Africa Eye documentary titled ‘Madams: Exposing Kenya's Child Sex Trade,’ claiming that it sought to undermine the country's image.

The documentary, released on August 4, 2025, highlighted the alarming rate of sex trafficking among underage girls, specifically in Maai Mahiu town. 

Speaking to the press on Wednesday, CS Murkomen explained that the documentary failed to reach the intended purpose as some of the girls allegedly falsified their age to qualify for “promised sponsorship” by the BBC.

He noted that no arrests had been made so far, as investigations are ongoing to trace the witness in the documentary.

Instead, the CS turned his focus to the journalists behind the documentary, warning that the police would take action against them.

“Our Investigations have established that the BBC team primarily sought underage girls involved in sex work. However, some of the girls falsified their age to qualify for the promised sponsorship by the BBC team. No arrests have been made so far but investigations are ongoing including financial records and call data to link these parties and tracing witnesses," Murkomen stated. 

"The documentary failed to reach the intended purpose due to falsified information from several interviewees."

The exposé painted a grim picture of how girls as young as 13 years were easily manipulated and introduced to the sex industry for money. 

"Prostitution is a cash crop in Maai Mahiu; the truckers basically fuel it. And that's how we benefit. It's been normalised in Maai Mahiu," a lady identified as Nyambura stated in the documentary. 

Following the release of the exposé, the National Police Service (NPS) launched investigations into the claims.

Further, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to probe the matter and submit its findings within 7 days. 

"The ODPP is mandated to prosecute all offences, including those involving human rights violations and crimes against children. Article 53 of the Constitution of Kenya guarantees the rights of children, including protection from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, and all forms of violence and exploitation," read the statement in part.