NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 9— Kenya’s convictions of human traffickers fell by more than 70 per cent in 2025, even as authorities identified more victims, with a new United States report raising concerns over official complicity, fraudulent overseas recruitment and inadequate protection for survivors.

📻 Breaking It Down

The 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report found that Kenya convicted six traffickers under its anti-trafficking law in 2025, down from 21 in 2024, while prosecutions fell sharply from 44 cases to 14.

The findings point to a widening gap between the identification of trafficking victims and the prosecution of those responsible, despite increased government efforts to rescue Kenyans exploited abroad and strengthen victim assistance.

“The government decreased anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts,” the report stated in its assessment of Kenya’s prosecution record.

📌 What You Need to Know

Kenya retained its Tier 2 ranking, meaning the government was making significant efforts to combat trafficking but had not fully met the minimum standards for eliminating the crime.

The report credited authorities with identifying substantially more victims, partnering with civil society organisations to assist and securing the country’s first civil judgment against a fraudulent recruiter.

However, it said prosecutions and convictions had declined, protection services remained limited, and allegations of official complicity continued to undermine enforcement.

Kenyan authorities investigated 43 trafficking cases in 2025, compared with 42 in 2024.

However, the number of cases prosecuted dropped from 44 to 14, while convictions fell from 21 traffickers to six.

Of those convicted, five were involved in sex trafficking and one in forced labour.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya