Nairobi:Voices of survivors of modern slavery were highlighted in Nairobi as global leaders, policymakers, and experts gathered for a two-day forum aimed at bolstering efforts to protect vulnerable populations, hold offenders accountable, and dismantle exploitative systems.
According to Kenya News Agency, the 2026 Freedom from Slavery Global Forum, organized by the Free the Slaves group, united government representatives, survivor leaders, civil society organizations, business leaders, academics, and international experts. The event’s theme, ‘Freedom in a Changing World: Strengthening Protection, Accountability and Transforming the Systems Behind Modern Slavery,’ set the stage for discussions shifting from dialogue to practical commitments in combating forced labor, human trafficking, child labor, and other exploitative practices.
An estimated 50 million people were living in modern slavery in 2021, based on the Global Estimates of Modern Slavery by the International Labour Organization, Walk Free, and the International Organization for Migration. In Kenya, the 2023 Global Slavery Index reported 269,000 individuals living in modern slavery, equating to five in every 1,000 people. The National Council on Children’s Services estimated approximately 17,500 Kenyans are trafficked annually, half of whom are likely children.
Assistant Labour Commissioner Artlibert Makori from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection emphasized Kenya’s commitment to intensifying efforts against forced labor, human trafficking, and child labor. As an Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder Country since 2024, Kenya aims to enhance labor inspection, social protection, responsible business conduct, and access to justice, while engaging survivors and communities meaningfully.
Emerging threats such as poverty, conflict, climate change, irregular migration, unethical recruitment, and technology misuse require coordinated responses. Kenya is working on strengthening Bilateral Labour Agreements and cooperation with destination countries to improve recruitment, protect wages, and enhance grievance mechanisms, Makori noted.
Free the Slaves Executive Director Bukeni Waruzi highlighted that the forum brought together stakeholders from Africa and beyond to identify effective strategies for a global response to modern slavery. The adoption of the Declaration of Principles for Aligned Action against modern slavery aims to provide a shared commitment to strengthening systemic responses with guidance from individuals with lived experiences.
Survivor leaders are actively contributing to discussions on protection, recovery, livelihoods, dignity, and accountability, and the forum emphasizes their meaningful role in shaping policies. Shamere McKenzie, CEO of Sun Gate Foundation and a survivor leader, stressed the importance of recognizing lived experience as expertise in combating modern slavery, advocating for a stronger commitment to sharing power with survivors.
The forum is also addressing responsible business practices, supply-chain regulation, ethical recruitment, forced marriage, child domestic work, refugee trafficking risks, and technology-facilitated trafficking. The event’s second day will focus on developing a roadmap for systemic transformation and considering the adoption of the Principles for Aligned Action to End Modern Slavery.
Organizers hope the Nairobi meeting will enhance collaboration and sustained action to address exploitation conditions, with survivor leadership central to the global response.
