Examining Trans-national Security Challenges: a Case Study of International Human Trafficking in Kenya

Abstract

Human trafficking is a growing menace in Africa targeting developing countries for the benefits of the few perpetrators of the crime and countries of destination often developed nations. The crime against humanity has entangled various sectors of the society depriving the very own productive years of their youths, women, girls and children who are often abused in the countries of destination. It is a crime that has existed for years since slave trade and continues to flourish due to the increased insecurity in many countries, social breakdown and economic crisis. The study was carried in Kenya to seek answers to the research questions on the level of human trafficking in Kenya, factors associated with human trafficking in Kenya and the nexus between human trafficking and security in Kenya. Through a critical literature review, the study analyzed 17 articles on and about human trafficking in Kenya that have revealed that women, children and youths are the most vulnerable persons as victims of human trafficking. These victims are forced or often coerced into human trafficking menace due to their low socio-economic status, lack of good education, corruption in the country, lack of awareness on the dangers of the vice, ignorance and promises of better lifestyles. Human trafficking has led to millions of people migrating to developed nations into forced labour in plantations and industries, thousands of people killed and assaulted while many especially women and girls have been forced into prostitution. Human trafficking affects almost all sectors of the society from health, social interaction, exploitation of national resources, employment, labour among others. This study sought a relationship between human trafficking and security of the country thus has established than human trafficking endangers the security operations of the country through infiltration of non-citizens and criminals who may be bent to cause chaos and involve in criminal activities. Moreover, the higher number of illegal immigrants and human beings trafficked in the country causes competition for meagre natural resources and could be a source of new infections hence causing social chaos. Though a number of actors have been involved to stem and curb this menace through instituting legal frameworks, capacity building of local actors dealing with human trafficking, creating awareness on dangers and operations of human trafficking; there still exist loopholes in the fight against human trafficking. Most of the personnel designated to prevent, detect and prosecute against this crime are corrupt or do not have necessary resources to act effectively. Moreover, the crime involves organized, well established and wealthy cartels that are careful to hide their dealings through involving the same arms of government and actors mandated to end the crime. Much have been done to prevent and curb trafficking in persons but there lack clear lists and data on the perpetrators, how they operate, numbers of people involved and numbers of victims saved and reintegrated within the society. There is a need to create this database and evaluate the effectiveness of awareness campaigns to prevent or reduce human trafficking in Kenya.