This archive report was first published on 9 August 2019.
Kenya's Hidden Shame: Trafficking of Asian Girls into Sex Industry ¶
Published on August 9, 2019, a report by Thompson Reuters Foundation revealed a disturbing trend of women and girls from South Asian nations being trafficked to Kenya's adult entertainment industry.
According to anti-trafficking activists and police, an increasing number of women and girls are being lured to Kenya with false promises of good jobs, only to find themselves trapped in sex slavery or forced into prostitution.
Victims, mostly from Nepal, India, and Pakistan, are promised jobs as cultural dancers and given a month's salary in advance. However, upon arrival in Kenya, their movements are restricted, and they are forced to engage in erotic and sexually explicit dancing, often with clients.
Police raids on Bollywood-style dance clubs at the coast have led to the rescue of several women and girls from South Asia. An official from Kenya's Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) revealed that the raids have helped them understand the modus operandi of traffickers in Kenya, who have agents overseas to recruit women for them.
One victim, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her harrowing experience, stating, 'This whole thing has been terrible. I should never have come – it was a mistake. All I want to do is go home. I never come to Kenya again.'
The issue has sparked controversy, with some officials being linked to the trafficking of women and girls. In January 2019, CS Echesa was accused of giving special permits to facilitate the ordeal, leading to the trafficking of eight Pakistani girls.
As the Kenyan government struggles to address this issue, anti-trafficking activists and police continue to work tirelessly to rescue victims and bring traffickers to justice.
