Women governors in Kenya, popularly known as the G7, has strongly condemned the illegal sex trade involving children, particularly girls, in the Mai Mahiu area.
In a statement to the media, the group, led by Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, said that sexual abuse and child trafficking are grave violations of human rights and a direct attack on the dignity, safety, and future of children, especially girls.
The statement follows a report by BBC African Eye that exposed a prostitution network in Mai Mahiu, where adult women have been selling young girls to men for sexual exploitation.
The report noted that many of these girls had run away from home due to difficult circumstances such as being orphaned or living in poverty, only to end up in sexual abuse.
Some of the children admitted they were forced to engage in unprotected sex, putting them at risk of contracting diseases such as HIV/AIDS. The governors called on the government to launch an urgent investigation and take stern action against all perpetrators, whether they are sellers, their accomplices, or clients.
They also stressed that security officers who neglected their duties or colluded with the criminals should face legal action.
“This crisis is a failure of society and demands urgent, collective action. We cannot turn a blind eye while children are stripped of their childhood, abused, and exploited under the guise of poverty and lack of accountability,” their statement read.The female leaders also said that the children involved require urgent psychological support, medical care, and education to rebuild their lives. They called for the establishment of a coordinated government program to rescue, care for, and reintegrate them into society.
“What is happening to our children in Mai Mahiu is tragic and unacceptable. As G7, we stand together demanding urgent action to rescue, protect, and restore the lives of these children. Every perpetrator must be held accountable,” Governor Waiguru posted on her social media pages.The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to protecting children’s rights in every county and pledged to work with civil society organisations, religious leaders, community leaders, and international partners to strengthen child protection systems, particularly in areas affected by poverty and migration.