The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has dismissed claims that its documentary on child sexual exploitation in Mai Mahiu was fabricated, defending the investigation as legitimate journalism.
According to BBC, Africa Eye investigation, ‘Madams: Exposing Kenya’s Child Sex Trade,’ was an important piece of public interest journalism that documents the exploitation of children in the Kenyan sex trade.
The station moreover dismissed allegations that questioned the legitimacy of the contributors featured in the documentary, faulting law enforcers for examining the sources without representation.
BBC responds to CS Murkomen’s allegation on their recent documentary. Photo: Courtesy.
The BBC went on to clarify the nature of its investigation, noting that none of the contributors featured in the film were paid, offered payment, or ‘coached’ in any way.
The corporation also revealed that it had cooperated with Kenyan authorities from the start of its investigation.
The statement comes hours after Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen dismissed the BBC documentary as a hoax.
The CS claimed that government investigations had determined that individuals featured in the documentary were not minors as portrayed in the report.
He alleged that the documentary was deliberately staged to create false impressions of widespread sexual abuse of children in the Mai Mahiu area.
The BBC Africa Eye documentary spotlighted claims of sexual exploitation involving minors in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru.
The investigation, carried out by undercover reporters, captured interactions with women referred to as “madams,” who were said to be involved in recruiting children into sex work.
