MEDIA EXPOSES CHILDREN SEX TRADE IN MALINDI

Children aged between 15-16 years are being lured into prostitution in Malindi. A media expose has revealed.

The investigative report aired on British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on Monday 19^th May, shows young girls and boys seated at the beach waiting for International tourist. Hoping one of them will have sex with them for money in return. If the tourist shows signs of wanting a client, the young girls offer themselves for the service.

The victims say, Tourists play sex with them in caves and secret places along the beach. This is because hotels and lodgings are against the vice. One girl said at times her clients, who are aged between 50-80 yrs, take them to their houses. She is paid 5,000 per session and on a good month she gets clients every day.

Young Boys are also into the trade. According to 17 yrs Juma (not his real name), a massage specialist, female tourist entice them to have sexual intercourse in return for money. Since hotels do not allow children into their rooms, Juma takes his clients to caves along the beach.

According to the report by Anne Soy, Beach boys play a big role in the trade. They are the heart of the illegal business. They pose as relatives and friends but in real sense they are “pimps”, selling out minors to tourists to use them in satisfying their sexual pleasure.

Despite carrying out campaigns against premarital sex and risk awareness in schools, the number of school going children caught in the trap is increasing by the day. The report indicates children never listen to their teachers for they earn more than them. This is a situation which poses a huge challenge to the teacher when it comes to handling the children.

Speaking to BBC, Naomi Kazungu a child protection officer in Malindi said most of the youths look up to those who have gained wealth from the trade as their role models. This makes them to see education as of no importance.

“They think getting married to a white man or woman is the easiest way to make money. As those in the trade drive big cars and are living in nice houses unlike their teachers and relatives who have gone to school but are languishing in poverty.”

She adds that her office has joined efforts with hotels in fighting the trade. Something which has resulted to those involved to operate in secretive places.

Naomi also blamed parents for not being responsible. She says despite most of them knowing what their children do, they don’t take action for they get money from them.

RADIO JOURNALIST PUNISHED FOR READING NEWS IN CLASS

There are many reasons for punishments in school. Missing classes because of looking after cattle is common with the Maasai.  However, what Benson Wuapari, a journalist and an author has not come into terms with is how reading news in class was an offence.

No, he wasn’t noisy, a thief or a trouble maker as many of us were but simply loved his talent. It is this love that is a blessing and was a curse then. 

Born in 1984, In Olalui Kilgoris-Transmara Narok county, Wuapari has not only grown to be a refined journalist but also part of the few authors in the media industry in kenya.

The Maasai moran got a beating from his teacher in class 3 for no other reason but competing with a friend in reading a Taifa leo news paper- emulating news anchors during a free lesson.

The mimic was so good. Their teacher thought there was a radio in class.When he entered the very classroom, he asked for students having a radio to give it to him. It was against the school rules to have a radio in class. The pupils in betrayal pointed at the two.

Benson and his friend were puzzled and didn’t know what to do for they had no radio, perhaps they were the radios. As a result what was to become part of Media Max crew and an author was beaten thoroughly. As he puts it the pain was a catalyst to his career.  The wake forest university of South Africa graduate has had a tremendous journey in the media industry.

“I got my first job at radio injili kericho, it reaches the great Rift valley, Nyanza and Western, and got it through an interview and did it for 7 years. Then I moved to Radio Maa, Royal Media Services and finally poached by Media Max.”

Benson Wuapari

Apart from being a Maa radio personality Benson prides himself in being fluent in swahili. Something he says is an advantage.

It’s a good feeling, it sweet speaking in your native dialect. I take it as giving back to my community and having confident in kiswahili is an added advantage in this ever increasing competitive field.

While not in studio Benson is on a mission to be a role model. Something he says inspires the youth and gives them a sense about life especially in regard to their careers. 

“I was inspired into the media industry by citizen TV’s Julie Gishuru, Shisia Wasilwa and Okwara Ndumbi wesonga, their talent is exceptional and I always looked up to them. Just like it was back then I know many young talents look up to those in the field. That is why I offer myself as a possible choice.”

In order to be a role model Wuapari used to be a part time lecturer in Kericho School of professional studies but now he concentrates on naturing young talents in his college queens college in kilgoris. This he does through inspirational talks.

As an author his literary work, a book titled “Journalism and Mass Communication” is by far a must read to all journalist in the continent.

“It’s a home grown journalism book that inspires African journalist and more so kenyan journalist. It is about what they pass thorough in their day to day work and in an African culture,” he says.

The book which took him more than a year to complete,  also gives a guide to journalist covering politics in an ever changing environment and on how to keep the African culture.

When asked what word of advice he had for the young generation, Benson points out they should be patient in whatever they are doing.

“Being patient is paramount as they seek their passion and include God in their endeavors, finally they should never give up whatsoever.” He concludes.