Born to Fly Confronts Paedophilia, Peer Pressure and Reproductive Health in Bold Push to Protect Kenyan Teens

SKY Girls Kenya has launched Season 4 of its hit teen drama series, PAA: Born to Fly, a fearless and deeply relatable dive into the pressures and challenges shaping the lives of teenage girls across Kenya.

Building on the impact of previous seasons, this season of PAA ventures into the urgent conversations young people struggle to start but desperately need. It addresses the growing pressure to vape, alongside crucial themes of contraceptive awareness and reproductive health, including the HPV vaccination. It offers an unflinching look at the darkest issues affecting young women daily. Every episode is designed to empower girls to stay true to themselves, make informed choices, and recognise early warning signs in unhealthy dynamics.

This season also confronts for the first time, the devastating realities of sexual pressure, manipulation, and grooming by older predators; addressing ‘paedophilia’ and the abuse of power that leaves young girls vulnerable. Official statistics, underscore the drive behind the storyline. Per the State Department for Social Protection, nearly half of females (45.9%) experienced childhood violence, while among those who experienced childhood sexual violence, almost two-thirds (62.6%) suffered multiple incidents before age 18.

Svetlana Polikarpova, Country Director for SKY Girls Kenya emphasizes the urgency: “The reality on the ground is stark: sexual pressure often comes from much older men. With one in six girls becoming a victim of sexual violence before age 18, we could not ignore this. PAA equips girls with the knowledge and the lingo to recognise manipulation and speak up to a trusted adult. Our goal with season 4 was to turn harrowing statistics into survival skills across some of the most pressing issues including contraception, peer pressure and vaping as well as sexual coercion”.

 SKY Girls Kenya aims to use Season 4 to spark nationwide conversations by collaborating with schools, educators, parents and guardians who are often the first line of support. PAA acts as a safe doorway into these conversations, offering language, perspective, and representation that speak directly to teens. These episodes open critical lines of communication between teens and their parents and foster necessary dialogue between teachers and their students.

Norah Mogismo, a 19-year-old SKY Girl has been actively engaged with SKY for the past three years. For this season, she contributed to story development, sharing what would be most relatable to young girls like herself.  She notes “The storyline felt really real because I’ve seen it happen, people I know have been victims of paedophilia. I related most to the scene where Abura (the leading character) opened up to her teacher. It showed me that if she had that opportunity and took it, other girls could also speak out. It tells every girl: your voice matters. PAA empowers us, giving us the confidence and the words we need to break the silence.”

SKY Girls, Form 3 Student Moi Girls added “What I really love about SKY is that the scenarios are just like the things we go through as girls every day. It feels real and it shows me step by step how I can handle those situations better,”

At a private screening on 4^th December at Cinemax, Sarit, government representatives, educators, youth advocates, influencers, and partners previewed the season and engaged in a moderated discussion. The event highlighted the importance of protection, advocacy, and strengthening momentum for the mission.

Speaking at the event, Diana Akinyi, psychologist at Usikimye, a Kenyan NGO that provides immediate intervention, psychological support, and legal aid to survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), highlighted “What we see in PAA is not just a story, it’s the daily reality in our offices. Paedophiles are not monsters lurking in dark alleys; they are normal people close to us – often trusted individuals. They groom, they operate in familiar environments, and they prey on emotional vulnerability. This show is critically important because it teaches parents and caregivers to be vigilant and curious about their children’s behaviour, and it empowers the child to know that their safety is paramount. We must call this what it is: paedophilia, and this series is what society needs to address the danger that is often hiding in plain sight.”

In a standout milestone for the local creative industry, PAA Season 4 was produced by an all-women production team, ensuring that every frame reflects an authentic understanding of the girl experience. Cast members include Mwende Kingori, Brian Ogolla, Peter Kamau, and Maureen Muthoni. The series is now publicly available on the SKY Girls Kenya YouTube channel.

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