June 8 / 2026 / Reading Time: 3 minutes
Despite progress, study highlights gaps in Kenya’s response to child sexual exploitation and abuse
A new study has revealed that, despite significant progress in strengthening child protection systems in Kenya, the response to Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA) in Kenya is being hindered by gaps in coordination, survivor support and policy implementation.
MIDRIFT HURINET, a non-profit organisation operating in Kenya since 2008, conducted the research in partnership with Childlight and the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit.
It assessed the functionality of child protection services by examining survivor journeys and case management processes for Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA) cases in the seven counties of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Kisii, Busia and Garissa.
The study reviewed 57 closed case files, observed 56 institutions involved in child protection and conducted in-depth interviews with 58 stakeholders working across the child protection sector in the 7 research counties.
While Kenya has established legal frameworks, including the Sexual Offences Act (No 3 of 2006) and the Children’s Act (2022), child sexual exploitation still persists, necessitating child protection structures and multi-agency coordination mechanisms to respond to CSEA cases.
However, the study, titled ‘Reporting, Investigation and Adjudication of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Kenya’, found that existing laws and policies in child protection are not adequately implemented, with survivor journeys to justice often long and arduous. Only one third of cases reviewed were concluded within six months, and nearly a quarter took more than two years.
The study found that timely access to medical treatment, psycho-social support, and coordinated services plays a critical role in supporting survivors and strengthening access to justice. It further established that 54.7% of the perpetrators were male, and well known to the child, and most survivors were females (79%), and aged between 6-11 years old.
MIDRIFT researcher Leslie Rono said: “If there’s one thing that needs to change, it’s how we respond to survivors. Systems must be faster, more sensitive and more coordinated.”
Elizabeth Anyango, another MIDRIFT researcher, said the findings will challenge misunderstandings. She noted: “Many people believe that child abusers are strangers but the reality is very different. Across the seven counties where MIDRIFT conducted the study, 54.7% of the perpetrators were male and very well known to the child. The cases reviewed were very disheartening.”
Lydia Davenport, manager of Childlight’s Technical Advisory Program (C-TAP), said: “Kenya has demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting children through its laws, policies and child protection systems.
“This important study, by shining a light on the experiences of survivors, identifies opportunities to further strengthen trauma-informed support, improve coordination across services, enhance awareness – and ensure cases are resolved as effectively and efficiently as possible.”
She added: “Childlight is grateful for the opportunity to support this work and hopes the findings will help inform continued efforts by government, practitioners and communities to place the needs of survivors at the centre of the response."
The study calls for stronger integration of data systems, improved inter-agency coordination, and stricter implementation of existing child protection laws and policies.
As stakeholders continue to advance efforts to safeguard children, it found there is a need to strengthen the capacity of child protection actors in reporting, investigation, case management and adjudication of CSEA across the country.
To read the full report see: Reporting, Investigation & Adjudication of Child Sexual Exploitation & Abuse in Kenya full report – MIDRIFT HURINET