A recent undercover operation has uncovered the disturbing reality of underage prostitution in Maai Mahiu, a bustling trucking hub in Kenya’s Rift Valley. Women known as “madams” have been recruiting and exploiting girls as young as 13, luring them into the sex trade with promises of money and shelter.
The town, located just 50 kilometers from Nairobi, serves as a major transit point for goods and travelers moving between Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. While prostitution is common in the area, the involvement of minors has turned it into a hotspot for child sexual exploitation.
Hidden cameras captured conversations with two women—Nyambura and Cheptoo—who openly admitted to facilitating the abuse of underage girls. Nyambura boasted about manipulating children with small bribes like sweets, while Cheptoo described the business as a lucrative but secretive operation. Both acknowledged the illegality of their actions yet continued to profit from the exploitation of vulnerable minors.
One girl, only 13 years old, revealed she had been forced into sex work for six months, servicing multiple clients daily. Another orphaned teenager said she had no choice but to comply with demands for unprotected sex, fearing homelessness if she refused.
Despite evidence being handed to authorities earlier this year, no arrests have been made. Prosecutions remain rare, as victims often fear retaliation and are reluctant to testify.
Meanwhile, a former sex worker known as “Baby Girl” now runs a shelter for survivors, offering refuge and vocational training. However, funding cuts threaten to dismantle her outreach programs, leaving many at risk of falling back into exploitation.
The investigation highlights the urgent need for stronger enforcement and support systems to protect Kenya’s most vulnerable children from sexual exploitation.
