Kenyan Youth and Gambian Victims Face Rising Human Trafficking Networks

Kenyan Member of Parliament Ahmed Maalim Hassan warned the National Assembly that sophisticated transnational syndicates are targeting vulnerable Kenyan youth with fake overseas job offers. He said victims are recruited via social media and moved through Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan before being taken to Libya, where they face forced labour, extortion and unlawful detention. Hassan identified a criminal group called Magafe as a key player and called for a comprehensive government response to dismantle the networks.

In The Gambia, officials from the National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons (NAATIP) confirmed the country remains a source, transit and destination for human trafficking. Sexual exploitation is the most common form within The Gambia, while labour exploitation affects Gambians trafficked abroad. NAATIP outlined its “Four Ps” strategy—Prevention, Protection, Partnership and Prosecution—and highlighted public‑awareness campaigns and training for law‑enforcement as part of its effort to combat the crime.