Nairobi is hosting the 2026 Freedom from Slavery Global Forum, a two-day event convened by Free the Slaves. The forum aims to turn discussions into practical commitments and action against modern slavery. It brings together governments, survivors of modern slavery, civil society organisations, businesses, academics, and international experts. The theme of the forum is "Freedom in a Changing World: Strengthening Protection, Accountability and Transforming the Systems Behind Modern Slavery."
The forum addresses the scale of modern slavery globally, with an estimated 50 million people living in conditions of modern slavery on any given day in 2021. According to the Global Estimates of Modern Slavery, Kenya has 269,000 people living in modern slavery, equivalent to five people in every 1,000. The National Council on Children's Services estimates that about 17,500 Kenyans are trafficked annually, with children accounting for about half of those affected.
Assistant Labour Commissioner Artlibert Makori stated that Kenya is strengthening its response to modern slavery through labour inspection, social protection, responsible business conduct, and improved access to justice. As an Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder Country, Kenya is committed to accelerating action towards eliminating forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labour. Makori highlighted emerging risks such as poverty, conflict, climate change, and irregular migration.
Kenya's designation as an Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder Country in 2024 positions it to accelerate action against forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labour. The Nairobi forum provides a platform for African experiences to influence the global response and promote greater cooperation on prevention, protection, and accountability. Free the Slaves Executive Director Bukeni Waruzi stated that the forum identified promising approaches and strengthened frameworks for collaboration.
The forum emphasizes survivor leadership, with people who have experienced modern slavery participating in discussions on protection, recovery, livelihoods, dignity, and policy responses. Shamere McKenzie, CEO of Sun Gate Foundation and a survivor leader, highlighted the importance of ensuring survivors have a meaningful role in decisions affecting the movement. The meeting strengthened commitments to share power with survivors and created opportunities for survivor leaders to influence policies and solutions.
The forum examines responsible business and supply-chain regulation, ethical recruitment, forced marriage, child domestic work, refugee trafficking risks, and technology-facilitated trafficking. Discussions on the second day focus on developing a roadmap for system transformation, with participants expected to consider practical actions that can be implemented across sectors. The ultimate goal is to build a more coordinated global response that places lived experience at the centre.
The 2026 Freedom from Slavery Global Forum aims to strengthen systemic responses to modern slavery while ensuring that people with lived experience provide leadership. The adoption of the Declaration of Principles for Aligned Action against Modern Slavery marked a commitment by the movement to strengthen systemic responses. Organisers say the forum demonstrates the importance of cooperation and collective action to address the underlying systems that allow modern slavery and exploitation to continue.
Key points
- The 2026 Freedom from Slavery Global Forum brings together governments, survivors, and experts to strengthen the fight against exploitation and human trafficking.
- Kenya has 269,000 people living in modern slavery, equivalent to five people in every 1,000.
- The forum aims to build a more coordinated global response that places lived experience at the centre and strengthens accountability.
