Child Sexual Abuse in Kenya: New Study Finds Most Perpetrators Are Known to Victims, Exposes Gaps in Child Protection Systems
By Gedion Nzyoki -
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 16, 2026 — A new study examining the reporting, investigation, and adjudication of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA) cases in Kenya has revealed significant gaps in the country's child protection system, despite the existence of robust legal and policy frameworks aimed at safeguarding children.
The study, conducted by MIDRIFT HURINET in partnership with Childlight Global Child Safety Institute and the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit (AHTCPU), assessed the functionality of child protection services across seven counties: Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Kisii, Busia, and Garissa.
Speaking on Tuesday morning during a press briefing following the unveiling of the report at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi, MIDRIFT HURINET Executive Director Joseph Omondi said researchers examined survivor journeys and case management processes through a mixed-methods approach that included reviews of closed case files, institutional observations, key informant interviews, and document analysis.
A total of 57 closed Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse case files were reviewed, 56 child protection institutions were observed, and 58 stakeholders were interviewed across the seven counties.
Most Perpetrators Known to Children
One of the most striking findings of the study is that the majority of perpetrators are not strangers to their victims.
According to the report, 54.7 percent of perpetrators were neighbours or individuals well known to the child, challenging the common assumption that child sexual abuse is primarily committed by unknown individuals.
The study also found that girls bear the greatest burden of abuse, accounting for 79 percent of survivors. Most victims were between the ages of six and 11 years.
Speaking during the official launch of the report, MIDRIFT researcher Elizabeth Anyango said the findings highlight a troubling reality that many communities fail to recognize.
“Many people believe that child abusers are strangers, but the reality is very different. Across the seven counties where MIDRIFT conducted the study, 54 percent of the perpetrators were male and very well known to the child,” she said.
She described many of the cases reviewed as deeply distressing, noting that the majority of survivors were young girls in their formative years.
“The cases reviewed were very disheartening because the majority of the survivors of child sexual exploitation and abuse were young girls between the ages of six and 11 years old,” she added.
Progress Made, but Significant Gaps Remain
While Kenya has enacted laws such as the Sexual Offences Act, 2006, and the Children's Act, 2022, the study found that Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse continues to occur at concerning levels.
Researchers concluded that weaknesses in implementation, coordination among agencies, and survivor support services continue to undermine effective responses to abuse cases.
The report points to persistent challenges in policy implementation and the operation of child protection structures despite the establishment of multi-agency mechanisms intended to support survivors and strengthen access to justice.
The findings indicate that timely access to medical treatment, psychosocial support, and coordinated services significantly improves outcomes for survivors while increasing the likelihood of successful case resolution.
MIDRIFT researcher Leslie Rono emphasized the need for a more survivor-centred response system.
“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,” Rono said.
Childlight Calls for Survivor-Centred Reforms
Childlight Global Child Safety Institute, which funded the study, said the findings provide an important opportunity to strengthen Kenya's child protection response.
Lydia Davenport of Childlight acknowledged Kenya's commitment to protecting children through its legal and institutional frameworks but noted that more can be done to improve support services and case management.
“Kenya has demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting children through its laws, policies and child protection systems,” she said.
“This important study, by shining a light on the lived 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.”
Davenport added that Childlight hopes the findings will help inform ongoing efforts by government agencies, practitioners, and communities to place survivors at the centre of child protection responses.
An Inside Look at the Study on Reporting, Investigation and Adjudication of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Kenya
Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA) remains one of the most serious violations of children's rights in Kenya, affecting thousands of children across both rural and urban communities. Despite the existence of laws, policies, child protection systems and international commitments aimed at safeguarding children, sexual exploitation and abuse continue to occur at alarming levels, often perpetrated by people known and trusted by victims.
Why the Study Was Conducted
The study was conducted against a backdrop of worrying national statistics on child protection and sexual violence.
According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022, teenage pregnancy and defilement prevalence average 15 percent nationally, with some counties recording significantly higher rates. Samburu leads at 50.1 percent, followed by Marsabit (29.4 percent), Meru (23.6 percent), Siaya (20.9 percent), Taita Taveta (18.4 percent), Busia (18.3 percent), and Kiambu (11.9 percent).
The prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) also remains high in several counties, including Wajir (97.2 percent), Mandera (95.9 percent), Garissa (94 percent), Marsabit (83 percent), Samburu (75.6–86 percent), Kisii and Nyamira (70.3–77.3 percent), Tana River (60.1 percent), and Narok (51 percent).
Globally, UNICEF estimates that 650 million women alive today experienced sexual violence during childhood, while between 410 and 530 million men suffered sexual violence before reaching adulthood.
Researchers said the study sought to examine how child protection systems function in practice, particularly in relation to the reporting, investigation, and adjudication of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse cases.
Study Areas and Methodology
The study was conducted in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Busia, Kisii, and Garissa counties, which were identified as hotspots for Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
Researchers adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research techniques to assess the effectiveness of child protection systems.
Data was collected through observations in 56 child protection institutions, interviews with 58 key stakeholders, and a review of 356 closed court case files, from which 57 cases concluded between 2019 and 2025 were selected for detailed analysis.
The study examined various forms of abuse, including defilement, sodomy, child marriage, child trafficking for sexual exploitation, online child sexual exploitation, sextortion, child pornography, child prostitution, incest, sexual assault, and neglect that exposed children to exploitation.
Who Are the Survivors?
Analysis of the reviewed cases showed that girls are disproportionately affected by Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, accounting for 79 percent of survivors, compared to 21 percent who were boys.
The most affected age group was children aged six to 11 years, representing 39.2 percent of the cases reviewed.
The study further found that while offline abuse largely affected younger children, online sexual exploitation increasingly targeted adolescents through social media platforms, gaming sites, and other digital communication channels.
Who Are the Perpetrators?
The findings revealed that abuse often occurs within trusted environments, with 54.7 percent of perpetrators being neighbours or individuals known to the child.
Most perpetrators were male, with the largest proportion (29.8 percent) aged between 18 and 35 years.
Another 26.3 percent were below 18 years, 7 percent were aged between 35 and 60 years, and 1.8 percent were above 60 years. In 35.1 percent of the reviewed files, the age of the perpetrator was not specified.
Forms of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
The study found that Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse manifests in multiple forms, often with survivors experiencing more than one form of abuse simultaneously.
Defilement and sodomy emerged as the most common offences, accounting for 57 percent of the reviewed cases.
Other forms of abuse included child trafficking for sexual exploitation (10 percent), child pornography (9 percent), sexual assault (6 percent), incest (4 percent), gang rape (4 percent), child marriage (3 percent), sextortion (3 percent), sexting (1 percent), and abuse linked to neglect and vulnerability (1 percent).
Technology and Data Systems in Child Protection
The study also assessed the use of technology and data management systems among agencies handling Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse cases.
Findings showed that most institutions have embraced digital systems to support case management, referrals, and information sharing.
All Children's Offices, courts, and offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions reported using computers in their operations, while computer use was recorded among 84.6 percent of civil society organizations, 57.1 percent of hospitals, and only 35.7 percent of police stations.
Overall, 75.4 percent of the agencies assessed used computers, while 24.5 percent still relied on manual systems.
Stakeholders reported using several digital platforms, including the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS), Childline Kenya 116, the Judiciary Case Tracking System, the National Police Information Management System, the Convicted Sexual Offenders Electronic Register, Kenya Electronic Medical Records, Medicap, Vurugu Mapper, and the Uadilifu System.
The Survivor Journey Through the Justice System
The study mapped the journey survivors take through Kenya's child protection and justice systems.
Police officers were typically the first point of contact, handling 32 percent of reviewed cases, followed by hospitals at 26 percent and courts and legal aid services at 17 percent.
Other actors included psychosocial support providers, the Children's Department, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit, and shelters.
Researchers noted that psychosocial care and shelter services remain insufficiently integrated into referral pathways despite their importance in survivor recovery.
Coordination Gaps and Referral Challenges
Despite the existence of collaboration networks and referral mechanisms, the study found significant coordination challenges among agencies handling Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse cases.
Stakeholders reported delays in referrals, limited feedback from partner agencies, weak follow-up mechanisms, and minimal involvement of some service providers in survivor support.
Researchers also found limited evidence of shelter referrals, psychosocial support interventions, and Children's Department reports, raising concerns about continuity of care and long-term recovery.
Challenges Facing Frontline Child Protection Workers
The study identified several operational challenges affecting frontline child protection workers and agencies.
Common concerns included inadequate funding, staff shortages, lack of vehicles and fuel for field operations, and the vast geographical areas officers are required to cover.
Stakeholders also highlighted limited support for Child Protection Volunteers, who often serve as the first point of contact at the community level.
Capacity Building and Training Needs
The study found a strong demand for specialized training among agencies handling Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse cases.
Stakeholders identified key areas requiring capacity building, including trauma-informed care, online child sexual exploitation and abuse, child trafficking investigations, digital investigations, medico-legal documentation, children's rights, child protection laws, data management systems, and referral procedures.
Many respondents reported receiving only short awareness and sensitization sessions rather than structured and certified training programmes.
Police officers, in particular, called for more training on the implementation of the Children Act, 2022, to strengthen child protection responses and improve case handling.
Medical Response and Psychosocial Support
Medical care remains a critical component of survivor recovery, with 61 percent of survivors receiving treatment within the crucial 72-hour period following abuse.
This period is essential for emergency medical treatment, collection of forensic evidence, HIV prevention interventions, and documentation required for prosecution.
However, access to psychosocial support services was found to be inconsistent across counties, limiting comprehensive recovery and long-term support for survivors.
Data Duplication and Fragmented Systems
Despite the growing use of digital platforms in child protection, agencies reported ongoing challenges related to data duplication and fragmented information systems.
Stakeholders cited duplicate case recording, inconsistent reporting, double counting of cases, and limited interoperability between databases used by hospitals, police, Children's Services, and other agencies.
Respondents emphasized that stronger integration of data systems would improve case tracking, survivor follow-up, national reporting, and evidence-based decision-making.
Key Challenges Affecting Justice Outcomes
The study found that successful prosecution and access to justice for survivors are influenced by several interconnected factors.
These include survivor trauma and psychological wellbeing, poor preservation of evidence, misapplication of laws, lengthy case durations, frequent adjournments, and weak coordination among agencies.
Researchers also noted the continued reliance on informal justice systems in some communities.
In counties such as Garissa, traditional dispute resolution mechanisms, including the Maslaha system, continue to influence the handling of some cases, sometimes affecting formal reporting and prosecution processes.
The Way Forward
The study concludes that while Kenya has made notable progress in strengthening child protection systems and improving responses to Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, significant gaps continue to undermine access to justice and survivor support.
Researchers are calling for stronger integration of child protection data systems, particularly through the enhancement of the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS), to improve coordination, case tracking, and evidence-based decision-making.
The report further recommends reducing case delays and frequent court adjournments, strengthening trauma-informed approaches to handling survivors, and expanding access to psychosocial support services.
It also calls for the strict enforcement of child protection laws, standardized forensic evidence preservation procedures, increased funding for frontline child protection agencies, and continuous specialized training for professionals involved in CSEA investigations and case management.
To improve service delivery, the study urges greater investment in technology for police stations and health facilities, the establishment of mobile reporting and medical outreach services in underserved areas, and intensified public awareness campaigns on the risks of relying on informal justice systems.
According to the researchers, addressing these gaps will be critical to building a more coordinated, survivor-centred, and effective child protection system capable of preventing abuse and ensuring justice for children across Kenya.
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