A Nairobi court has convicted a woman for trafficking a minor from Kisii for purposes of labour exploitation, shedding light on the ongoing issue of child trafficking and forced labour. Margaret Kemunto Nyaribo was found guilty of violating Kenya’s Counter Trafficking in Persons Act after she deceived the minor’s parents with promises of enrolling the child in school, only to subject her to exploitative conditions.
According to court documents, Nyaribo lured the minor, who was under the age of 18, from her home in Kisii to Nairobi. The promise of a brighter future through education quickly turned to a nightmare, as the minor was instead forced to work as a house help. In addition to her household duties, the child was coerced into selling vegetables at Nyaribo’s kiosk, a task far removed from the educational opportunities that had been promised.
The exploitation went unnoticed for a period, with the minor living under harsh conditions in Nyaribo’s home, which was a stark contrast to the brighter future she had been promised. It was only after an intervention that authorities were alerted, leading to the arrest of Nyaribo. This case serves as a tragic reminder of the vulnerability of children to trafficking and forced labour, despite laws that are meant to protect them.
Milimani Children’s Court Chief Magistrate Bernard Ochoi delivered the verdict, finding Nyaribo guilty of violating Section 3(3) as read with Section 3(5) of the Counter Trafficking in Persons Act. The law criminalizes trafficking and provides severe penalties for offenders. Under this legislation, those found guilty of trafficking minors face a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison and fines of no less than Ksh.30 million, or both.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has been at the forefront of efforts to combat human trafficking in Kenya, and this conviction is a significant step in holding perpetrators accountable. The sentencing for Nyaribo is set for January 21, pending the submission of a pre-sentencing report. Her fate now lies in the hands of the court, which will decide on the severity of her punishment, ensuring justice for the exploited minor.
This case highlights the ongoing battle against child trafficking in Kenya. Despite the country’s legislative framework designed to combat these heinous crimes, children continue to fall victim to traffickers who prey on their vulnerability. The law mandates harsh penalties for traffickers, and cases like these are crucial in raising awareness about the need for vigilance and action to protect children from exploitation.
As the sentencing date approaches, many hope that this case will serve as a deterrent to those involved in human trafficking, reinforcing the message that such crimes will not go unpunished. The conviction of Nyaribo sends a clear signal that the law is committed to protecting vulnerable children from exploitation, and that justice will be served for those who violate these rights.
