Meeting Victims of Human Trafficking

It started as a day like any other but as is the case in Counter Human Trafficking activities, it certainly was one we could not have imagined what was to transpire. On our schedule we had a trip to the International airport to meet two victims from Saudi Arabia. We arrived to find that the plane had just landed but after a period of waiting and most passengers had come out we decided it was time to try to call one of them. We had ‘Jackie’s’ name on a board, however, the ‘board’ on this occasion was the 42 page, A4 size “Training Manual” I designed in 2008, we refer to it as “Madam Lolo” (on a sheet of paper, taped on to the Manual, we just wrote the name of one of the two women we expected). In simple pictorial format the Training Manual details the trafficking of a 12 year old girl to a brothel-cum-bar who is exposed to a variety of severe hardships and sexual exploitation which finally ends in her death due to AIDS, having undergone several abortions by the doctor whom the ‘Madam’ calls in to carry out the procedure/s.

Planning our next move

Having waited so long we sat down in an airport café to sit and have some drinks and call ‘Jackie’ That in itself was a struggle as she was not picking her phone but we had an alternative number and she answered it telling us that she lacked an ‘exit visa’ and was turned back at Riyadh International airport on the previous evening. As all this was happening I spotted a long line of very young girls (at least eleven of them) come out of a Nissan van and with a small suitcase each they made a line heading in the direction of where we had just left, to ‘Saudi Airlines’ They were followed at the rear by a Madam in full Muslim dress. With Mutuku opposite me, I said: “look quickly, that trail of young girls are being trafficked” I could see his face ‘fall’ and my mind went back to another time when I was on my way home through Abu Dhabi direct to Dublin. I spotted a group of 14 very young pretty Ethiopian and Eritrean girls in the transit lounge, I knew they were being ‘trafficked’. An inner voice reminded me “Mary, you are starting your holidays now – just leave them” But another stronger, inner voice said ‘No, engage with them’ which I did and in very faltering English found that they were bound for Abu Dhabi for work, one managed to say “Work, Yes, we go work” I knew what fate awaited them and I felt very sad and helpless.

Take Courage Always

Today, with that trail of young girls on their way to an unknown fate, I stripped off the A4 page bearing the name of ‘Jackie’ and walked swiftly in their direction – carrying the “Madam Lolo” story. They had just reached the health scan checking for their Covid-19 certs. I asked one of them which county are you going to? Her reply was simple – just one word ‘Saudi’ which spoke volumes to me. I just placed the manual in her hands and said; ‘read this’ Some of the worst, most horrific and violent episodes come out of victims to Saudi - such has been my experience over 15 years. We have some photos of gross mutilations, burns e.g. placing a hot iron on a girl’s arm just because she burned the ‘tail’ of a man’s shirt and this was done by a woman – it amounts to gross inhumanity and a level of cruelty which defies imagination. As I walked a few meters away from them I just turned around and the Muslim lady was glaring hard back at me, I turned around and came back to our table at the café. Since beginning this work 15 years ago, I know that nothing is ever lost, no effort is too big in my passion to work Against HT whenever or wherever I meet it. In the Preface to a Strategic Plan of 2008, I wrote: “my mission is to sow ‘seeds’ very small seeds let God’s Spirit wing them where God’s Spirit wills” I have placed all my efforts and services in the hands of the Almighty who can and does Shepherd His people despite the awful greed of traffickers who reap so much wealth that it can finance the entire operations of Al Shabbab or Boko Haram.

Despite the fact that we spent over 3 hours going to the airport all was not lost, on the way back as we chatted we also conceived of an idea to do some ‘Research’ around this trafficking of young girls to Saudi and other Gulf States. In tandem with that idea and also very much related to it, that evening, Mutuku received a call at his home. It came from a deputy Officer Commanding Station (OCS) whom he parted company with just two weeks earlier. In the first week of February, 2021 Mutuku and George Matheka completed phase 2 of the ‘Training of Trainers’ (ToT) for 30 members of Kangemi Parish, Nairobi. The group included the deputy OCS and a female Officer and they also received their certificates as people qualified to present the whole gamut of Human Trafficking to any group of people who wished to engage with them.

Serious Criminal Activity

‘Peter’ this deputy OCS had an immediate urgent problem. It was 11pm and one hour after curfew, he had just arrested the driver of a Nissan van carrying one adult Muslim lady and 14 young girls aged 13 – 16 years (as verified by their passports). Each one held a small weekend case – ‘they look fearful and very terrified’ he explained to Mutuku. In addition, this driver carried 14 passports in an envelope inside his jacket pocket, there was no doubt ‘Peter’ was dealing with an immediate and very serious crime – there was no time to lose. Mutuku gave him the name and phone number of the “Transnational Organized Crime Unit” (TOCU) Officer who could help him immediately. It worked as a crime novel would describe it and when ‘Peter’ came to see us at our office some days later, he was beaming with pride, “this incident has given me more satisfaction than all the other crime cases I have dealt with in my 15 years as a Police officer” We Congratulated him again and he continued “Now I know that this is the kind of crime area I can specialize in” Last week he informed us that he has received promotion to move up the ranks as “Chief OCS” in charge of a large Police Division.

Story compiled by Sr Mary O’Malley, MMM @2021

In response to the pressing need for mental health assistance among “indirect adolescent survivors” of human trafficking, CHTEA embarked on a groundbreaking initiative tailored specifically for individuals aged 11 to 23. These young people, children of trafficking victims, faced unique challenges from their returning parents; most of whom were severely traumatized. The parents have been struggling to reconcile their past experiences with their present reality which has in effect had negative impact on children.

Structured over the April holidays, CHTEA’s counseling sessions provided a safe haven where children could freely express themselves, confront their concerns, and receive professional guidance. Facilitated by highly specialized counselor’s adept in adolescent psychology, the sessions combined individual counseling, group therapy, and psychoeducation, ensuring a holistic approach to addressing a myriad of issues including anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationships. The methodology encompassed a diverse range of participants, reflecting varied socioeconomic backgrounds, cultural contexts, and family dynamics. Despite their differences, all children shared their common threads of emotional distress and psychological trauma.

Findings from the sessions underscored their profound impact on their family relationships and the on-going challenges to their future, if un-addressed. Early adolescents found solace in addressing identity formation, peer pressure, and academic stress, while teen participants navigated more complex issues such as strained relationships with their mothers, romantic relationships and future aspirations. Across board, improvements were evident in self-confidence, communication skills, and a sense of empowerment towards the end of each therapy session.

In conclusion, CHTEA’s therapy sessions have emerged as a beacon of hope for adolescent indirect survivors of human trafficking, fostering resilience and promoting mental well-being. Moving forward, it is imperative to sustain this momentum, offering tailored support to meet the evolving needs of this vulnerable group who have for the longest been forgotten. By prioritizing mental health awareness and resilience, we can empower these young individuals.

Impoverished young men are selling their kidneys in return for cash to start their own businesses.

The price of a kidney in Kenya? Just under US$1, 000 plus a motorbike. That is how 30-year-old Joseph Japiny, from Oyugis town in Homa Bay County in western Kenya, got his boda boda – a motorbike taxi he uses to earn a living. Japiny told the ENACT project that he was introduced to Jadhot, a broker recruiting young men into the kidney-harvesting underworld that operates between Eldoret, Busia and Nairobi. Jadhot said that if he donated one kidney, he would be paid US$984 as a down payment and another US$984 in the form of a Boxer motorcycle. This he could use as a boda boda taxi – a common occupation among young East African men.

Japiny agreed to the deal and was taken to a private clinic in Eldoret for tests. Two weeks later, he was back in Eldoret where he received food and accommodation, and underwent regular blood, urine and faecal tests over the next three weeks. Throughout this time, Japiny had a minder – a person hired to look after those whose kidneys were going to be harvested. The illicit enterprise points to significant legal shortcomings in protecting vulnerable young people.

In the fourth week, Japiny was moved to a nearby clinic where his kidney was removed. He stayed there under observation for three days and then spent another three weeks in his hotel. During this time, he had regular check-ups by a doctor from India who did not speak Swahili. He was then given his motorbike and sent on his way.

The media have reported on allegations of illicit kidney harvesting in Kenya since 2019, and Japiny’s story shows that the trade is continuing. The illicit enterprise involves a network of actors who exploit poverty and unemployment among young men in their mid-20s and early 30s to meet the black-market demand outside the country. It also points to significant legal shortcomings in protecting vulnerable young people.

A broker who spoke to ENACT on condition of anonymity said he had recruited over 100 young men in Oyugis in the past year. Most were from low-income families, and many had not been educated beyond high school. They wanted capital to start their own businesses. While many see this as an opportunity to support themselves and their families, they are not necessarily told of the dangers, which include high blood pressure and reduced kidney function that could lead to kidney failure. Some have complained of constant pain at the surgery site, while others say they struggle with long-term back pain. Clinic owners serve the value chain by supplying harvested kidneys through the black market in India. The youths are lured by the prospect of cash, with some being paid as much as US$5 077 (KES750 000) for a kidney. However, with the increase in young people seeking to donate their kidneys, the price has dropped to around US$2 000 (KES300 000). This is despite one kidney on the international illicit market costing on average US$85 000.

In western Kenya, youths based in rural areas serve as brokers and recruit vulnerable, healthy young men. These local brokers work closely with agents in cities such as Eldoret, who connect victims of organ trafficking to the clinics where the operations occur.
Clinics and private hospitals in Eldoret are allegedly key nodes in the illicit harvesting and supply of kidneys to recipients in India. At the clinics and rented properties where the surgeries are performed, Indian doctors are brought in to carry out the procedures and post-operative care. Minders play a critical role in escorting victims and organising their travel and accommodation. The clinic owners serve the value chain by supplying the harvested kidneys through the black market in India.

This network of local and international criminal actors goes largely unchecked. The Kenyan Health Act of 2017 provides for the donation of kidneys to relatives or for scientific purposes, within strict guidelines. But the act doesn’t explicitly outlaw the illicit trade in which people agree to sell their organs – a loophole that aids illegal harvesting, storage and transportation of kidneys. There is no existing legal provision for acts involving people willing to sell their kidneys. The Health Act imposes a fine of US$65 700 or a prison term of up to 10 years, or both, for organ harvesting or trafficking. However, it is impossible to police organ harvesting when there is no existing legal provision for acts involving people willing to sell their kidneys for monetary gain.

While the Kenyatta National Hospital – Kenya’s largest referral hospital – issued a statement in 2022 discouraging youth from selling their kidneys, much more needs to be done by authorities to prevent this trade. For a start, the legal gaps need to be closed and clear regulations that accommodate this context must be put in place. Active and ongoing oversight of medical facilities and personnel is also required to ensure adherence to ethical practices governing organ removal, transfer and transplant in Kenya.
This article was first published by ENACT, a project of ISS and Interpol

There is pin-drop silence in a typical Kenyan home. The four-year-old last born is glued on the TV watching her favorite cartoon, the pre-teen is on the house phone watching a popular Us-based make-up show while the older teenage brother is hooked on some online games.

A mother, back from work at 8 pm, frantically knocks the door but nobody answers. After several frustrating knocks, the house help emerges from the bathroom in a hurry and opens the main door ‘’How come none of you opened the door yet I have knocked for hours," the mother complains. But the children stare blankly at her like she is from another planet. We did not hear you knocking the trio echoes back innocently. That is the typical scenario in marry Kenyan homes during the holiday season as children are glued to gadgets, for hours on end, oblivious of what is happening around them and it is now a cause for concern. When schools close and young ones are at home, instead of playing and socializing with their peers as is expected, they are glued to gadgets, from tablets, to laptops and smart phones Unlike in the past when children would play themselves dirty on vast playgrounds during the holiday season, now things are different and it is worrying experts.

Ms. Juliet Gikunda, a child psychologist, says there is a serious problem that needs urgent attention: A study published last month by the Pew Research Centre, indicates that about 38 percent of teenagers in the US acknowledge that they spend "too much" time on their smartphones and social media plat forms. The same scenario applies in Kenya.

Safety concerns

" It is dangerous when we give children too much freedom to use our gadgets and go online but we do not monitor their activities hence exposing them to safety concerns," says Gakunda who also manages Karan Children's Vocational Centre in Kikuyu. Ms Gakunda admits that though times have changed and parents cannot stop their children from using technology, they can still ensure that they use screen time meaningfully.

There is a need to define the boundaries as technology use has its advantages and disadvantages, the expert cautions.
"We have noted that the children are spending too much time on the screens, they are becoming socially awkward, withdrawn and want to have their 'me time’ with their gadgets, and when you wade their privacy they become aggressive.

When you check parents’ WhatsApp, TikTok or Facebook status, you find teens anal youth speaking their minds and expressing their emotions. It is like they are crying for attention. If there was a safe space at home where they could pour out their feelings and be listened to, they would not be all over social media, says Gikunda Teenagers and adolescents are posting their pictures on social media sites to seek affirmation and validation from strangers "This is dangerous as we have had seen instances where teenagers have committed suicide because they were cyberbullied through negative comments on their social media posts," Ms Gikunda observes.

Authored by Millicent Mwololo, Nation Media Group
With such a weak relationship between children and their parents, the former seem to find solace in alternative “online community support system” which is largely unregulated. From a very early age, most youngsters discover social media as the exciting alternatives to their absent parents. Indeed, it has become a routine practice for parents to buy gadgets for their children in guise of facilitating online studies/research projects.
Once online, the young minds delve into the depths of discovery hence, they are bound to engage with strangers some of whom are emerging or convicted paedophiles or child traffickers who offer the most attractive conversations and promises which become the new pathway to self-destruction for the young minds minds. Other youngsters end up joining dangerous groups which epitomize success through grooming, drugs, crime, pornography and gaming (betting). It is the easiest manner through which child traffickers subdue the young minds

With such a weak relationship between children and their parents, the former seem to find solace in alternative “online community support system” which is largely unregulated. From a very early age, most youngsters discover social media as the exciting alternatives to their absent parents. Indeed, it has become a routine practice for parents to buy gadgets for their children in guise of facilitating online studies/research projects.
Once online, the young minds delve into the depths of discovery hence, they are bound to engage with strangers some of whom are emerging or convicted paedophiles who offer the most attractive conversations and promises which become the new pathway to self-destruction for the young minds. Other youngsters end up joining dangerous groups which epitomize success through grooming, drugs, crime, pornography and gaming (betting). It is the easiest manner through which child traffickers subdue the young minds

With such a weak relationship between children and their parents, the former seem to find solace in alternative “online community support system” which is largely unregulated. From a very early age, most youngsters discover social media as the exciting alternatives to their absent parents. Indeed, it has become a routine practice for parents to buy gadgets for their children in guise of facilitating online studies/research projects.
Once online, the young minds delve into the depths of discovery hence, they are bound to engage with strangers some of whom are emerging or convicted paedophiles who offer the most attractive conversations and promises which become the new pathway to self-destruction for the young minds. Other youngsters end up joining dangerous groups which epitomize success through grooming, drugs, crime, pornography and gaming (betting). It is the easiest manner through which child traffickers subdue the young minds

Cyberbullying causes mental instability in children, which manifests in symptoms like anxiety attacks and withdrawal. "In a bid to cope, some fall in to drugs, become anti-social, get depressed and experience lack of sleep or too much of it. Parents may notice a different behavior pattern in the children and for some, if medical attention is not sought, they might end up com- mitting suicide." Owing to the pressures of life, many parents are finding themselves too busy to parent their children.