Monday, July 27, 2026(NAIROBI)__The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to combating human trafficking through stronger prevention, protection and partnership efforts.
Speaking at the Fourth International Conference on Human Trafficking at Tangaza University in Nairobi, Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Ms. Roseline Kathure Njogu said the forum came at a crucial time, ahead of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons marked on July 30 under the theme, “Trapped Behind the Scam.”
Ms. Njogu noted that human trafficking continues to grow in scale, sophistication and reach, with criminal networks increasingly exploiting conflict, irregular migration, economic hardship and digital platforms to target vulnerable persons. She added that women, girls and children remain especially at risk, while forced labour has become the most detected form of trafficking globally.
She said Kenya has not been spared from these trends, citing cases in which Kenyans seeking opportunities abroad have been deceived by false job promises, fraudulent recruitment schemes and irregular migration pathways. She also pointed to recent cases involving Kenyans trafficked to conflict zones, subjected to forced labour and sexual exploitation, as well as victims trapped in cyber-enabled scam compounds in parts of Southeast Asia.
The Principal Secretary emphasized that migration itself is not the problem, but rather the absence of safe, orderly, regular and informed pathways. She said the Government remains firmly committed to addressing trafficking in persons through strengthened legal, policy and institutional frameworks, guided by the Constitution, the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act and Kenya’s international obligations.
She further highlighted the role of the State Department for Diaspora Affairs in protecting Kenyans abroad and promoting safe migration, noting that every Kenyan leaving the country in search of work, education or business deserves accurate information, ethical recruitment and government protection.
Ms. Njogu called for closer collaboration among government agencies, diplomatic missions, law enforcement, development partners, civil society, academia, faith-based organizations and survivor-led groups to dismantle trafficking networks and protect victims. She stressed the need to strengthen regulation of recruitment agencies, enforce accountability and promote ethical labour migration.
She also cited ongoing Government efforts to support rescued victims through rehabilitation, psychosocial assistance, reintegration and economic empowerment, saying rescue alone is not enough. Programmes such as the Nyota Project, together with other livelihood and skills initiatives, are helping to reduce vulnerability to exploitation by creating dignified opportunities for young people.
She concluded by reaffirming the Department’s commitment to working with partners to advance safe, orderly and regular migration, protect Kenyans abroad and support national and international efforts to eliminate trafficking in persons.
The conference brought together representatives from national and county governments, the diplomatic corps, the United Nations, development partners, law enforcement agencies, academia, civil society, faith-based organizations and youth representatives.
PS Njogu was accompanied by Mr. Felix Mbuvi-FSO, Mr. Vincent Odhiambo-PCO, Ms. Susan Muthee-FSO, Ms. Abiya Nelima-FSO and Mr. Elijah Nyakundi-FSO.