BBC News has strongly refuted allegations by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen that their investigative documentary Madams: Exposing Kenya’s Child Sex Trade was fabricated and aimed at tarnishing Kenya’s image.
Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, August 13, CS Murkomen claimed that some girls featured in the exposé falsified their ages to qualify for “promised sponsorship” from the broadcaster.
Murkomen’s Allegations in Parliament
“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,” Murkomen told MPs.
He further claimed the documentary “failed to reach its intended purpose due to falsified information” from some interviewees. He added that investigations are ongoing, including reviews of financial records and call data.
BBC’s Strong Rebuttal
In a statement issued Thursday, BBC News dismissed the claims, maintaining that none of the victims were paid, offered payment, or coached in any way.
“As clearly stated in the film, the survivors of abuse who were interviewed were all over 18 and recounted experiences of abuse that occurred when they were underage,” BBC said.
The broadcaster also raised concerns that survivors were interviewed by Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) without legal representation.
Evidence Handed to Kenyan Police
BBC confirmed it handed over all evidence from the investigation to Kenyan authorities in March 2025 to assist in the probe. The film, which has gone viral on social media, exposes how girls as young as 13 were lured into the sex trade in Maai Mahiu.
You can watch BBC’s original coverage on their official website.
Ongoing Investigations
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) directed the DCI to conclude investigations within seven days.
