Human Trafficking in Kenya: higher risk during post-election violence.

2017 has been a historical year for Kenya. Never before has the country’s presidential result been overturned; the first for Africa as a continent in fact. The decision however has divided many people who feel it has been a great example of Kenya’s democratic progress, while others feel it is harming the country’s political reputation globally. Nonetheless, history has shown that throughout post-election violence vulnerable people become targets for opportunistic traffickers. HAART Kenya urges all citizens to remain calm and be vigilant throughout the coming months as Kenya returns to the polls.

On August 8th Kenya went to the polls to vote for the next president of the country. With the violence of the 2007/2008 election still fresh in our minds, many hoped and prayed for peaceful democratic process. While there were some casualties last month in comparison to previous elections, the violence had been somewhat confined to certain areas including Mathare, Kibera and Kisumu.

But it is these areas where the most vulnerable people are based. The slums of Kibera and Mathare have a huge population living in densely together. There can be little or no job opportunities. Any source of income is generally very low and people struggle to survive. Many people there dream of a great job, home and quality of life. This is something that victims of human trafficking are offered; but of course, will not receive. HAART Kenya strives to raise awareness to the vulnerable about the warning signs of human trafficking.

Awareness Against Human Trafficking (HAART Kenya) is an NGO based in Nairobi.

It is the only organisation which works exclusively on human trafficking. Whereas other organizations have incorporated combating human trafficking as a part of what they do; HAART has decided to concentrate its work to counter human trafficking in all its shapes and forms.

HAART has developed extensive knowledge both theoretically and practically of the multi-dimensional aspects of human trafficking both for victims going abroad and those being trafficked internally in Kenya. To provide a framework for combating trafficking, HAART has adopted ‘Four Ps’ from the United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking and moreover added an element of research. These include: Prevention, Prosecution, Protection; Recovery and Reintegration; and Policy and Cooperation.

The reason HAART was set up in 2008 was because there was no other organisation who sought to end modern day slavery in East Africa. Since its inception HAART has assisted more than three hundred and fifty victims and has been able to reach forty thousand people through its awareness programme at the grassroots level.

It is this second election period that HAART adds the urgency of choosing peace over violence.

With violence can bring the internal displacement of persons as was seen in the election ten years ago. Consequently, internally displaced persons are at higher risk of being trafficked in post-election violence. Research undertaken by HAART in previous years supports the fact that internally displaced persons are much more susceptible to human trafficking in post-election violence than ordinary citizens.

HAART urges all readers to be vigilant in the coming weeks and months when Kenyans go back to the polls to vote and it is for this reason which HAART Kenya urges all citizens to remain calm throughout this second election period.  Readers should feel free to get in touch with HAART if they suspect a case of human trafficking. The research mentioned previously highlighted that job recruiters were mentioned as leading source of traffickers 88.2% followed by a stranger 9.2% and a relative 2.6%. Therefore, we urge all citizens to verify all job opportunities through the relevant authorities throughout the coming months. Please visit exit.co.ke for more details on how to verify information and to safely migrate internally or abroad for your job opportunity, education and marriage as well. Additionally, most cases of trafficking involve victims aged 20 to 25 years old. Children are also trafficked (15.8% of total cases); especially among PEV IDPs (internally displaced persons) and Ethnic Conflict IDPs according to HAARTs research study.

The coming weeks and months will possibly be tense and uncertain as has been the run up to August 8th. Kenya’s democratic progress since the destructive 2007/2008 election will surely be compared with the outcome of this year’s election. If there is peace it will highly reduce the number of people who may fall prey to traffickers.

IF YOU OR A FRIEND/ FAMILY MEMBER IS SUSPICIOUS OF A POTENTIAL TRAFFICKING CASE PLEASE GET IN CONTACT WITH HAART KENYA ON 0738 506 264 OR EMAIL INFO@HAARTKENYA.ORG.

We also have an active helpline for reporting victim cases that operates day and night where you can call, text and even use the WhatsApp number – 0780211113. HAART also has a very active social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as haartkenya so be sure to get in touch if you have any questions or queries. Why not subscribe to HAART’s quarterly newsletter and keep up-to-date on the organisation’s activities throughout Kenya? While HAART cannot assist with every case HAART can also refer to a more suited organisation if the situation deems suitable. We wish all readers a peaceful election period.

 

By James Fahey