HOW INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION PROPELS THE PRACTICES OF CHILD TRAFFICKING AND EXPLOITATION IN KENYA. BEATRICE KAVATA NGUNGUA AD102129 A Dissertation Submitted to the Riara Law School in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Laws (LLB) of Riara University Law School APRIL 2021. DECLARATION I, Beatrice Kavata Ngungua declare that How Intercountry Adoption Propels the Practices of Child Trafficking and Exploitation in Kenya is my own work, that it has not been submitted for any degree or examination in any other university or institution, and that all the sources I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by complete references. Signature: ………………………………………………….. Date: ………………………………………… This dissertation has been submitted for examination with my approval as a University Supervisor. Signed by the Supervisor: ...................................................................... Date: ..................................................................... i DEDICATION. I dedicate this work to my loving parents and siblings, for their support, trust and guidance in me throughout the whole period. I’d also like to dedicate this work to the Almighty God because it is only through Him that the work of our hands will be blessed. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. My deepest gratitude goes to my supervisor, Dr. Victor Lando, who has guided me throughout this whole journey, has been patient with me even despite the Covid-19 pandemic and with whom this work would not have been accomplished. I learnt a lot and I pray that the Lord may guide you in all that you do. I would also like to thank my boss, Jacqueline Lorraine Akello, who despite being a busy woman striving to make it to the top, took the time to mentor me in all aspects with regards to my research paper, always sending me materials for me to make reference to and to always advise me in every step of the way. I appreciate you. Special thanks to my loving friend, Joy-Ann Muindi, who despite having such a busy schedule, always made sure that she eased the work on my plate in order to create room for me to undertake in doing this project. Thank you for always being patient with me. God bless you. iii Abstract. Adoption being an advantageous process, it tends to be beneficial to the prospective birth parents by relieving both financial and emotional stress of unplanned pregnancy and single parenting, the adoptive parents by enabling them to become parents when they may not have been able to otherwise and for the adopted children by being placed with families who have planned, prepared and longed for a child. As for Intercountry Adoption, there has been great controversy about the benefits and dangers of international adoption. Those against it view it as the ultimate kind of exploitation, the taking by the rich and power of the children born to the poor and powerless. Proponents of international adoption see it as a positive thing, where parents reach out to children in need and the cultural and racial differences viewed as a chance for the parents and children appreciate one another's differences. Taking a closer look at the trends of International Adoption in Kenya and globally, it tends to be leaning more towards the risky side as opposed to the beneficial side as history has proved. The adoption system tends to treat vulnerable children as properties hence the whole idea of child trafficking and exploitation. This is mostly blinded by the fact that Intercountry Adoption has been painted as a successful system that tends to build up a family-like environment for a child in a means of upholding their best interest principle. This research paper gives a detailed research finding that move to show the negative impact that Intercountry Adoption sets to impose on vulnerable children thus abusing the child’s best interest principle as well as identifying some of the measures required to combat those violations. iv TABLE OF ABBREVIATIONS ACRWC African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. CA Children Act. CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child. IOM International Organization for Migration. UN United Nations. v TABLE OF CASES In Re A M (Baby) [2015] eKLR. In Re ARE (a child), [2008] 1 KLR (G & F) 609. In Re AW (A Child), [2006] eKLR. In Re BW (An Infant, [2008] 1 KLR (G & F) 616. In Re Child R.K. [2015] eKLR In Re of P M (Baby) [2017] eKLR. In Re SS (Baby) [2019] eKLR. In the Matter of the Adoption of Baby D.M (Minor), 2013. Minister for Welfare and Social Development v Fitzpatrick and Others, 2000 (3) SA 422 (CC). Takhar v Gracefield Developments Ltd, [2019] UKSC 13. vi TABLE OF STATUTES AND LEGAL INSTRUMENTS Kenyan Legislation Children (Adoption) Regulations, 2005. Children Act No 8 of 2001. Constitution of Kenya, 2010. Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act No 8 of 2010. International Treaties Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1990. Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, 1993. United Nations Declaration on Social and Legal Principles relating to the Protection and Welfare of Children, with special reference to Foster Placement and Adoption Nationally and Internationally, 1986. Regional Instruments African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, 1999. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS. DECLARATION.......................................................................................................................................... i DEDICATION............................................................................................................................................. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. ........................................................................................................................ iii Abstract. ...................................................................................................................................................... iv TABLE OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................ v TABLE OF CASES .................................................................................................................................... vi TABLE OF STATUTES AND LEGAL INSTRUMENTS .................................................................... vii Kenyan Legislation ............................................................................................................................... vii International Treaties ........................................................................................................................... vii Regional Instruments ............................................................................................................................ vii 1.0: Introduction. ........................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1: Definition of the term Adoption and Child Trafficking. .................................................................. 1 1.2 Background to the Study ...................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Literature Review. ................................................................................................................................ 4 1.4 Problem Statement. ............................................................................................................................... 8 1.5.1 Utilitarianism Theory .................................................................................................................... 9 1.5.2 Attachment Theory ...................................................................................................................... 10 1.5.3 Sociological School of Jurisprudence ......................................................................................... 11 1.6: Research Objectives .......................................................................................................................... 13 1.7 Research Questions. ............................................................................................................................ 13 1.8 Justification of the Study. ................................................................................................................... 13 1.9 Hypothesis. ........................................................................................................................................... 14 1.10 Research Methodology. .................................................................................................................... 14 1.11 Limitations of the Study. .................................................................................................................. 15 1.12 Chapter Breakdown. ......................................................................................................................... 16 2.0: Introduction. ..................................................................................................................................... 17 2.1: Concept of Adoption. ......................................................................................................................... 17 2.2: Origins of Adoption. ...................................................................................................................... 18 2.2.1: Adoption Laws in the Early Modern Era. ................................................................................ 18 2.2.2: