FILE – A man works on a computer, cyber codes cascading over him, in this imaginative illustration dated May 13, 2017. Today, a startling report reveals a troubling spike in the online sexual exploitation and abuse of children in Kenya.
Consider young Winnie Muyam. Digital platforms were once her gateway to a vibrant social life and a universe of entertainment. Last year, everything changed for the 17-year-old. She started receiving messages from strangers, at first innocuous, then alarmingly intrusive.
“They began by befriending me, complimenting my looks,” Winnie recounted with a tremor in her voice. “Then, the nature of the messages shifted. They sent pictures, and soon, they were asking for mine. It made me feel horrible.”
Despite her attempts to alert the platform through their reporting features, her cries for help seemed to vanish into the abyss, unactioned and unheard. Thankfully, Winnie dodged the grim fate of exploitation. However, according to a survey by Child Fund International and Africa Child Forum, up to 13% of minors online are not as fortunate.
The vulnerable demographic primarily consists of children between the ages of 12 and 17. Eunice Kilundo, a child advocacy and protection manager, warns that predators exploit the youthful yearning for connection and validation.
“These individuals masquerade as trustworthy friends,” Kilundo lamented. “Gifting and rewarding the unsuspecting children, manipulating them into a deeper web, ultimately pushing them towards the unspeakable—sending explicit images of themselves.”
In our rapidly evolving digital landscape, how do parents, guardians, communities, and governments rise to the formidable challenge of safeguarding children? UNICEF notes the unprecedented difficulties that now loom large over child protection efforts.
Research underscores that Africa’s inadequate capabilities to investigate and legally pursue online sexual exploitation serve as a fertile breeding ground for such illicit activities. In response, Kenyan authorities are intensifying efforts to equip their justice system with specialized training to tackle these complex cases.
Substantial collaboration is imperative, according to Kilundo. “The time is now for everyone involved in child welfare or any intersecting fields—even within the corporate and governmental spectrums—to exhibit genuine commitment and resolve,” she urged.
Legal frameworks in Kenya stringently forbid any form of sexual activity involving minors, including online interactions, without explicit consent from a parent or guardian.
Dennis Otieno, senior counsel for the Federation of Female Lawyers in Kenya, told VOA News about the prevailing ignorance surrounding these digital crimes. He emphasized, “The reporting frequency for such incidents is abysmally low. There’s a vast unawareness that social media can indeed be the conduit for crimes.”
Kenya boasts over 22 million internet users according to recent national statistics. With this growing digital penetration, authorities are optimistic that initiatives like specialized training for law enforcement will significantly enhance the safety of children navigating online realms.
Until a few years ago, Winne’s story was nearly unimaginable. Yet, in today’s digital age, one might ask: How do we converse more freely yet protect those who have scarcely begun their lives? As we navigate this delicate terrain, it becomes a moral imperative to shield the innocence of our children, ensuring the virtual world is as safe as their real one.
Report By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
