The 2026 Freedom from Slavery Global Forum, hosted in Nairobi, has placed survivors of modern slavery at the forefront of global efforts to address systemic exploitation, with participants emphasizing the need for actionable solutions over abstract debates. Organized by Free the Slaves, the two-day event brings together government officials, civil society representatives, business leaders, and international experts to tackle forced labor, human trafficking, and child labor under the theme “Freedom in a Changing World: Strengthening Protection, Accountability and Transforming the Systems Behind Modern Slavery.”
According to the 2021 Global Estimates of Modern Slavery, an estimated 50 million people were trapped in modern slavery globally, with Kenya reporting 269,000 individuals affected as of 2023. The National Council on Children’s Services further highlights that approximately 17,500 Kenyans are trafficked annually, with half being children. These figures underscore the urgency of the forum’s mission to shift from policy discussions to concrete commitments.
Assistant Labour Commissioner Artlibert Makori, representing Kenya’s Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, reiterated the country’s dedication to combating modern slavery. Kenya, designated an Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder Country in 2024, is prioritizing stronger labor inspections, social protection programs, and ethical recruitment practices. Makori noted that emerging threats such as poverty, climate change, and technology misuse demand coordinated responses across national and international levels.
Makori emphasized Kenya’s efforts to strengthen Bilateral Labour Agreements with destination countries to improve recruitment transparency, protect wages, and enhance grievance mechanisms. “Ethical recruitment and accountability must remain central to the labor migration journey,” he stated, highlighting the need for systemic safeguards against trafficking and forced labor.
Free the Slaves Executive Director Bukeni Waruzi praised the forum’s focus on survivor leadership, stating that the event has fostered collaboration among global stakeholders. The adoption of the Declaration of Principles for Aligned Action aims to unify efforts by embedding survivor experiences into policy frameworks. Waruzi noted that the declaration will guide systemic reforms and ensure survivor voices shape future strategies.
Survivor leaders, including Shamere McKenzie of the Sun Gate Foundation, stressed the importance of recognizing lived experience as expertise. “Decisions about our lives must include our voices,” McKenzie said, emphasizing the forum’s role in empowering survivors to influence policies. The event also addressed supply-chain accountability, technology-facilitated trafficking, and refugee protection, with participants pledging to prioritize survivor leadership in these areas.
As the forum concludes, organizers aim to solidify partnerships and accelerate action against exploitation. The Nairobi gathering seeks to position survivors as central actors in global anti-slavery efforts, ensuring their perspectives drive systemic change and sustainable solutions. The next phase will focus on implementing the Principles for Aligned Action to transform how modern slavery is addressed worldwide.
The Kenya News Agency reports that the forum’s outcomes will inform future collaborations, with a focus on strengthening labor protections and amplifying survivor narratives in policy-making processes.