Newly released court documents linked to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein have drawn attention to East Africa, citing Tanzania and Kenya as part of alleged trafficking routes referenced in testimonies and supporting materials.
According to the files, children from Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia and other parts of Eastern Africa were reportedly trafficked through the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa. The documents describe Mombasa as a transit point used to move victims onward, though they do not allege the direct involvement of Kenyan or Tanzanian state authorities.
The references appear in a wider cache of materials unsealed as part of ongoing litigation in the United States connected to Epstein’s network and associates. The filings compile witness statements, flight records, travel references and other evidence submitted to the court over several years.
Regional security and child protection experts note that East Africa has long been vulnerable to cross-border trafficking because of porous borders, conflict-driven displacement and established smuggling routes, particularly along the Indian Ocean coastline. Mombasa has previously been flagged by international agencies as a high-risk transit hub for human trafficking and illicit migration.
Authorities in Kenya and Tanzania have not issued official responses to the latest disclosures. In past cases, both governments have stated their commitment to combating human trafficking through national legislation, international cooperation and partnerships with global law enforcement agencies.
Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Investigations into his activities and those of his associates continue to generate global scrutiny as more documents are made public, shedding light on the alleged international scope of the trafficking network.
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