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Transcript/ScriptKENYA HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS (TV/R) HEADLINE: Kenya Sets Up Shelters for Human Trafficking Survivors
TEASER: Government plans to help victims start anew and aid in the prosecution of traffickers
DATE: 08/09/2023 at 6:40 pm BYLINE: Victoria Amunga CONTRIBUTOR: None DATELINE: Nairobi VIDEOGRAPHER: Jimmy Makhulo VIDEO EDITOR: Jimmy Makhulo ASSIGNING EDITOR: Purnell Murdock SCRIPT EDITORS: MAS, DLJ VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_ TRT: 2:27 VID APPROVED BY: mia
TYPE: TV/R EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO ))
[[The Kenyan government is creating shelters for survivors of human trafficking. Authorities say the goal is to help victims recover from their traumatic experiences, rebuild their lives and prosecute human traffickers. For VOA, Victoria Amunga reports from Nairobi.]]
((NARRATOR))
Mercy Njeru says her two attempts to find work in the Middle East in 2014 and 2020 turned horrific.
Both times she was promised work in an office and instead ended up as a domestic worker in private homes, where Njeru says she was beaten and overworked.
((Mercy Njeru, Human Trafficking Survivor (in Swahili, 21 secs))
"If I did not finish some work, they would beat me. Or, for example, when the baby would cry and bother them, and I did not hear the baby cry because I was cleaning somewhere else, he and his brothers would come and beat me up.'
(Radio track: She says if she did not finish some work, they would beat her. Or for example, when the baby would cry and bother them and she did not hear the baby cry
because she was cleaning elsewhere, she says the employer and his brothers would beat her up.')
((NARRATOR))
Njeru managed to get out with the help of an aid group called Haart Kenya.
But, officials say, she is an exception. Many victims of human trafficking remain trapped.
Now the Kenyan government is setting up shelters for victims of human trafficking. Authorities say many survivors do not have a place to live, making it difficult to help them and investigate their traffickers.
((FOR RADIO: Counter Trafficking Secretary Shem Nyakutu explains.))
((Shem Nyakutu, Counter-Trafficking in Persons Secretary) (in English)
19 secs.)
''We require to keep them in a safe place as investigations are ongoing and also enable them to reintegrate back into society. So, we have specialists in all sectors to assist the build up [of] their confidence, so that they are able to fit into the society.''
((NARRATOR))
The government says many Kenyans are lured with the promise of jobs online and sent primarily to the Middle East and Far East countries, such as Laos, Malaysia and Thailand.
((NARRATOR))
The U.N. refugee agency says protections for victims of human trafficking are severely lacking, especially in Africa. Some are left to suffer repeated and multiple forms of abuse, and even die.
Non-profits such as Haart Kenya are working to help.
[[FOR RADIO: Radek Malinowski is the group’s executive director.]]
((Radek Malinowski, Haart Kenya Executive Director (English 28 secs) 2,45''-3'13'' ''We provide support either by helping them to come back to the country or helping them if they need support in terms of getting different forms of direct assistance such as legal aid, therapy, medical interventions or we support to restart their plans.''
((NARRATOR))
Like Njeru’s plan for her future. She’s studying to be a hairdresser now. Aid groups and government officials say they hope by working together, more victims of human trafficking can be saved and more traffickers prosecuted.
(( Victoria Amunga for VOA News, Nairobi )
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Nairobi
Embargo DateAugust 9, 2023 19:17 EDT
Byline
Victoria Amunga for VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
