This archive report was first published on 24 November 2019.
Ruto's Ally Embroiled in Sex Trafficking Scandal ¶
On November 24, 2019, police stormed a residential apartment in Ruaka, Nairobi, and rescued several underage girls who were being held captive and forced into prostitution.
According to investigators, the girls were recruited from secondary schools in Kiambu and lured with promises of making money. They were then taken to the apartment, where they were introduced to prostitution and forced to entertain multiple clients per day.
The operation, which had been running for close to a year, was linked to a group of prominent personalities, including a former Cabinet Secretary who is a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto.
The CS had issued special passes to eight girls from Pakistan, claiming they were cultural dancers. However, the girls were arrested at Bella Bella Club in Parklands, and their lawyer revealed that they were in Kenya with the CS's permission.
Investigations revealed that the recruiters had a bias for light-skinned and slim girls, and their target was secondary schools. The girls were paid between Sh5,000 and Sh10,000 per day, but the operators took 75% of the payment, leaving the girls with 25%.
Police recovered sex toys, condoms, and other evidence of the sex trafficking ring, which was operating from a luxury apartment rented for Sh60,000 per month. The former Cabinet Secretary has been charged in connection with the scandal.
