The Global Slavery Index 2023 on Wednesday, May 24, ranked Kenya as the 12th worst country in the world for modern slavery after reviewing a number of cases.
The report titled the Global Slavery Index 2023 indicated that some 360,000 people were living in modern slavery in Kenya, which represents 0.6 per cent of the country's total population.
Those subjected to slavery were mostly recruited by the use of social media, which acted as the most vital tool in luring youth to fake jobs.
"The most common form of modern slavery in Kenya is forced labor. This includes people who are forced to work against their will, often in dangerous or exploitative conditions after being recruited on social media," the report stated.
Other forms of modern slavery in Kenya as revealed by the Global Slavery Index 2023 included forced marriage, sexual exploitation, and debt bondage.
"While it is clear that social media exacerbates modern slavery risks, it can also provide an avenue for vulnerable users and survivors to share their experiences and access support," the report added.
Some of the factors that contribute to modern slavery in Kenya included poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion.
Many people who were vulnerable to modern slavery are also victims of other forms of violence such as domestic violence and child abuse.
"In 2021, for example, a Kenyan woman who was exploited while working as a cleaner in Saudi Arabia reported receiving assistance from an international organisation after posting about her situation on Facebook.
"She was also recruited via Facebook and claimed that the platform saw her into and out of the situation. Migrant domestic workers experiencing abuse and mistreatment in the Gulf have also used Facebook and Tik Tok to share their experiences, ask for information, and raise awareness," the report read in parts.
The report. however, recognised steps were taken by the Kenyan government to address modern slavery. In 2010, the government passed the Trafficking in Persons Act, which criminalises human trafficking.
It noted that the government also established a number of programs to help victims of modern slavery. In particular, the government's effort in using social media to identify victims of slavery was applauded.
"While this has reportedly helped domestic workers connect with other workers on the platforms, without the necessary safeguards in place, domestic workers can be exposed to further harms such are trafficking by exploitative recruiters who are also active on the platforms, employer retaliation, and even deportation," read part of Global Slavery Index Report.
However, the researchers observed that more needs to be done to address modern slavery in Kenya, noting that the government needs to increase its efforts to prosecute traffickers and provide support to victims of modern slavery.
The private sector also needs to play a role in addressing modern slavery by ensuring that its supply chains are free from forced labor.
The Global Slavery Index is a valuable tool for understanding the scale of modern slavery and the factors that contribute to it. The report can be used to raise awareness of the issue and to encourage governments and businesses to take action to address it.
