Murkomen Dismisses BBC Africa Child Sex Trade Film as Hoax

• Aug 14, 2025

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has dismissed a BBC Africa Eye documentary on child sex trafficking in Kenya as misleading and damaging to the country’s image.

The documentary, Madams: Exposing Kenya’s Child Sex Trade, was released on August 4, 2025. It investigated sex trafficking in Maai Mahiu, a town in Nakuru County, where girls as young as 13 were allegedly being lured into prostitution in exchange for money.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Murkomen alleged that the documentary relied on false testimonies and misrepresented facts. He claimed that some girls featured in the film had lied about their ages to secure what he described as “promised sponsorship” from the BBC team.

“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. No arrests have been made so far but investigations are ongoing, including analysis of financial records and call data to link these parties,” Murkomen stated.

He further revealed that authorities are now scrutinizing the role of the journalists involved, hinting that legal action could be taken against them if wrongdoing is found.

Following the release of the exposé, the National Police Service began a formal investigation into the claims raised. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to complete its probe within seven days.

Murkomen argued that the documentary did not achieve its intended purpose, saying it was undermined by “falsified information” from multiple sources. His remarks come amid ongoing debates about the credibility of investigative journalism and the responsibility of media organizations to ensure factual accuracy.

The controversy highlights broader issues facing Kenya, including the fight against human trafficking and the challenge of protecting the country’s global image. While the BBC documentary sought to expose a serious crime, the government’s pushback raises questions about the verification of sources, the protection of vulnerable individuals, and the potential legal risks faced by journalists working in sensitive areas.

The outcome of the ongoing investigations will likely influence future approaches to both human rights advocacy and investigative reporting in Kenya.

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