Factors That Facilitate Human Trafficking Into Kenya: A Case Study Of Nairobi City

Abstract

Globally, trafficking on humans is calmed to be one of the most profitable illicit trades after drugs and firearms trafficking. It generates billions of dollars annually. More than 2.5 million individuals annually are compelled to perform tasks that are undignified which frequently resulting from human trafficking. It continues to grow at an alarming rate hence a concern at all levels. It is estimated that 137 countries are involved in human trafficking. Existing studies have investigated human trafficking in Kenya as a country of origin as well as transit. This study investigated human trafficking in Kenya as a country of destination. The study sought to develop the profiles of trafficked persons; factors that facilitate trafficking of humans to Nairobi; the context from which victims of human trafficking are pushed; and to establish the modus operandi of the human trafficking into Nairobi. The study reviewed the literature on factors that motivate human trafficking, characteristics of victims, the push factors, alluring factors. The study used rational choice theory and modern slavery theory. The research site was Nairobi city particularly Pangani police station and Nairobi Remand Home where victims of human trafficking were found. The study adopted a qualitative design with a limited quantitative application. Due to the fluidity of the primary respondents, convenient sampling was used. Therefore a census was undertaken as all the victims of trafficking found and willing were interviewed. The primary method of data collection was key informant interviews with police, probation and prisons officers. Approximately, 36 human trafficking victims were interviewed in two institutions. Key findings were: most victims were young people aged between 19-25 years, they had a low level of education. Travelled within a short time from origin to destination, a few had prior employment experience, most of the victims were not married, there was no significant gender difference between them, all had originated from Ethiopia and Somalia, and all came to Nairobi by road. Open borders, ethnic groups straddling border areas, collusion by motorists and police officers manning roads were the main facilitating factors for entry into Nairobi. The alluring factors were: the promise of employment, the promise of safety and better wages. The modus operandi was characterised by particular routes that seemed favourable, the introduction of victims to a trafficker, little knowledge of a person in the destination, promises of employment which were often false. The recommendations were: law enforcement officers on the roads must combat human trafficking; regional governments need to network better on the borders to control the trade, introduction of human trafficking in the school curriculum, creation of public awareness, implement anti-corruption measures along the identified conduit roads.