My name is Jacky, I am 13 years old and attend a primary boarding school in Kenya until the Covid-19 pandemic struck. Just like every child in Kenya I was forced to go back home due to the government restrictions that led to closure of schools in order to combat the spread of the virus.

Internet usage among children has increased as a result of COVID19 control measures as children use the internet to learn, interact and get entertained. This has also seen an increase in online child abuse, with NGOs estimating a spike in child trafficking post lockdown

Being a KCPE candidate, I indulged myself into learning online as many of my peers have been doing since March in order to keep up with my studies and revision for my final year examinations.

Since I wanted to catch up with my books I signed up for free online classes that were being offered by a group of teachers. I thought the offer was great since I had no time left and exams were around the corner. Schools were closed and the social distancing measures in place couldn’t allow me to meet with my friends for studying. With no option I immersed myself into studying online.

I had been in contact with the online teacher for a while and I got comfortable speaking to him as he guided me through revision work. My parents from time to time would check on me during those sessions which was totally ok.

Due to the relationship we had created online, he gave me tests and collected the papers for marking and I would meet him to hand in the papers. The back and forth went on for a while and the test results would come back with a mobile number written on it in order for me to call him back and seek clarification on why I didn’t get some of the answers correctly.

This went on for a couple of months until the ill-fated day came. The government had announced that candidates could resume school and I was prepared to go back to school on Monday.

However, on Sunday I asked for permission from my mother to go and play with my friends only to find myself in a fix with the online teacher. He lured me into his house and moved from Nairobi to Kisumu, where we stayed before he planned my escape to my aunt’s place.

I was scared and I thought of all the negative things possible that could have happened to me if I was not found. I am still disturbed from the events and I hope no other girl or child has to go through this.

I never thought that I could be a victim, I thought it was safe and since we had familiarized. I trusted him and he lured me into his trap. At least he was arrested and the case is ongoing. I just hope children especially girls will be more careful with these online platforms and ensure they let their parents know what and whom they are engaging with.

I also hope that there will be more restrictions and penalties for perpetrators of cybercrime and governments should enforce laws that will protect young women and girls on the online space.

Source: Kenya CitizenTV

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