The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched investigations into a criminal group involved in human trafficking.
The syndicate was exposed when two matatus (minibuses) carrying 51 Ethiopian nationals were intercepted along the Kitale-Kapenguria Highway.
Based on valuable information, DCI said, its team focused on a PSV vehicle that had previously caught the attention of the police due to suspicions of its involvement in human trafficking.
The intelligence suggested that a group of undocumented immigrants, who were initially seen in Turkana, was being transported to the Kenya-Uganda border in matatus headed for Kitale.
Acting on this information, the detectives tracked the two suspected PSVs to Makunga shopping centre along the Kitale-Kapenguria highway.
When the authorities intercepted and thoroughly searched the vehicles, they were surprised to discover a total of 43 adults and 8 juveniles, aged between 9 months to 40 years, cramped inside.
"A sting operation launched by Anti-Human Trafficking detectives had narrowed down to a driver and a PSV vehicle that has been on police radar on suspicion of being involved in the transnational crime," DCI said in a statement.
"Acting on intelligence that a number of illegal immigrants earlier spotted in Turkana were being ferried to the Kenya-Uganda border on board Kitale-bound matatus, the team pursued two suspected PSVs to Makunga shopping centre along the Kitale-Kapenguria highway," the statement further stated.
DCI FLEX MUSCLES ON HUMAN TRAFFICKERS.
The DCI is investigating a criminal syndicate involved in the trafficking of 51 Ethiopian nationals following the interception of two 14-seater matatus ferrying the entire group on Monday, 10.
A sting operation launched by Anti-Human pic.twitter.com/uJzoLxQKG6— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) July 12, 2023
The two matatus involved were identified as KDH 051J, owned by Lodwar Prestige Sacco and driven by John Wasike, and KDJ 284R, owned by Royal Rift Shuttle Sacco and driven by Harold Kamau.
Preliminary findings from the ongoing investigation indicate that the criminal syndicate is responsible for helping smuggled individuals enter and exit Kenya, facilitating their journey from Ethiopia to Uganda.
It is believed that their final destination was South Africa, highlighting the extensive reach and complexity of the trafficking network.
