The BBC has defended its investigative documentary “Madams: Exposing Kenya’s Child Sex Trade”, describing it as a critical piece of public interest journalism that sheds light on the exploitation of children within Kenya’s sex trade.
In a statement on Wednesday, BBC News expressed concern that, following the film’s broadcast, survivors of childhood sexual abuse who participated in the investigation were interviewed at length by Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) without legal representation.
The matter has also been debated in the Kenyan parliament.
The broadcaster clarified that none of the contributors were paid, offered payment, or coached, stressing that all survivors interviewed were over the age of 18 and recounted abuse they endured as minors.
BBC News thanked the survivors for their courage and confirmed that the evidence gathered during the investigation was handed over to Kenyan police in March 2025. The material, according to the broadcaster, clearly identified perpetrators and victims in urgent need of assistance.
The documentary, produced by BBC Africa Eye, has sparked widespread discussion about the scale of child sexual exploitation in Kenya and the urgency of protecting vulnerable children.
Written By Rodney Mbua
