On August 4, 2025, BBC Africa Eye aired a deeply troubling investigation titled Madams: Exposing Kenya’s Child Sex Trade. The documentary, filmed undercover in Maai Mahiu, revealed how girls as young as 13 were being coerced into sexual exploitation by so-called “madams” in the town’s thriving sex trade network.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen swiftly dismissed the exposee in Parliament and media interactions labelling it as a hoax alleging that interviewees falsified their ages to qualify for a “foreign sponsorship” supposedly offered by the BBC team.
The statement from the broadcaster stressed that the victims were offered no financial incentive to share their story.
"For clarity, none of the contributors featured in this film were paid, offered payment or 'coached' in any way.we had handed over evidence to the police in April this year and the police assured us that action would be taken particularly to rescue the children",the broadcaster noted.
Bbc has stood by the documentary and confirmed ethical conduct.With civil societies and NGO's calling for immediate action
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"For clarity, none of the contributors featured in this film were paid, offered payment or 'coached' in any way.we had handed over evidence to the police in April this year and the police assured us that action would be taken particularly to rescue the children",the broadcaster noted.
BBC Editorial
