DPP: Public ignorance to blame for human trafficking menace
Kenya's Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, stated that legal prosecution is insufficient to stop human trafficking. He emphasized that community education and awareness are essential to combat the rise of digital deception in trafficking.
Why it matters
Addresses the limitations of judicial systems in tackling transnational organized crime and the need for public-private cooperation.
DPP Renson Ingonga during a meeting with CIVIPOL regional coordinator Marco Bufo in Nairobi, where they reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Kenya’s prosecutorial capacity and cross-border cooperation to combat trafficking and migrant smuggling /HANDOUT
Convictions related to trafficking offences rose from just three in 2023 to 21 in 2024, pointing to progress in efforts to combat the crime.
However, Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga warned that prosecutorial success alone cannot defeat a crime that is increasingly enabled by digital deception and public ignorance.
Ingonga said community empowerment must match judicial efforts to stem human trafficking.
“The fight against trafficking in persons cannot be won through prosecutions alone. We must empower communities with the knowledge to recognise the warning signs, understand the tactics used by traffickers and know where to seek help,” he said.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in