Kenya's child trafficking syndicate exposé received a nomination for the prestigious global award on Thursday, August 19.
BBC Africa Eye Baby Stealers investigative piece that revealed how children were being sold for as little as Ksh40,000 in Nairobi was nominated to International Emmys’ Awards, News and Current Affairs category.
The investigative piece that exposed the existence of a secretive but thriving illegal market for stolen babies in Kenya, becomes the first-ever historical nomination the country ever received in the world's most coveted awards.
The Kenyan piece is set to battle it out with American news peers during a virtual ceremony set for September 28 in the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences category.
“As the world continues to grapple with the pandemic and unrest every place, access to reliable news is more crucial than ever,” said Bruce Paisner, President & CEO of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
“We salute the outstanding work and great courage of our nominees for reporting on difficult and sensitive matters, despite the global health crisis and many other obstacles thrown at them.”
Other great pieces contesting for the award with Baby Stealers include The Hunt for Gaddafi’s Billions that focused on the battle for Muammar Gaddafi’s missing billions in South Africa.
Should the BBC's investigative piece clinch the award, it will become the first-ever prestigious fete for the country.
BBC infiltrated and exposed three prolific child trafficking networks that stretch from the poorest slums to one of Kenya’s biggest government hospitals.
It went further to unearth a trade in children stolen from vulnerable mothers living on the streets and being sold to some clinics in the country.
The exposé compelled Inspector General of Police, Hillary Mutyambai, to order investigations into hospitals, as well as children's homes in the country.
Four people were arrested in connection with the syndicate. Two hospital administrators, a nurse, and a social worker appeared in court to shade light on the child trafficking syndicate adding to a list of other senior medical officials who were also presented in court.
Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary, Simon Chelugui, said the culprits would face the "full force of the law" but the matter is still in court.
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