Ruiru Detectives: No 6 Indians Rescued from Suspected Human Trafficking

• Three Indian nationals were rescued from a suspected human trafficking case in Ruiru, Kiambu County.
• Six suspects were arrested, including Indian national Avtar Singh, Pakistani nationals Ali Khashif and Syed Shujaat Hussein, and Kenyans Stephen Karomo and Damaris Katulu Daudi.
• The suspects claimed they were assisting the Indians to travel to Italy through Ethiopia, but further investigation is needed to establish their true intentions.
• A Kenyan minor who was allegedly working as a house help was also found at the premises.
• Detectives are continuing investigations to establish the activities of the suspects and identify other possible accomplices.

Preliminary interrogation established that the suspects claimed they were assisting the three Indian nationals to travel to Italy through Ethiopia.

Detectives from the Operations Support Unit (OSU) have made significant progress in a suspected human trafficking case in Ruiru, Kiambu County. On August 11, six suspects were arrested and three Indian nationals who had gone missing after arriving in Kenya on August 5 were rescued. The trio was traced to a two-bedroom house in Fort Jesus area of Ruiru following intelligence-led investigations. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspects claimed they were assisting the Indians to travel to Italy through Ethiopia, but further investigation is needed to establish their true intentions.

The rescue operation was carried out after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) received reports that the Indian nationals had been taken to a house in Ruiru. The trio left Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in a taxi allegedly arranged by their receiver after clearing immigration, and were then taken to the house where they were allegedly held incommunicado.

The six suspects arrested include Indian national Avtar Singh, Pakistani nationals Ali Khashif and Syed Shujaat Hussein, and Kenyans Stephen Karomo and Damaris Katulu Daudi. A Kenyan minor who was allegedly working as a house help was also found at the premises.

Human trafficking is a serious crime in Kenya, with severe penalties for those convicted. The country has laws and regulations in place to prevent and combat human trafficking, including the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2010. The law prohibits the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons through force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or a position of vulnerability for the purpose of exploitation.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has been working closely with other agencies to investigate suspected human trafficking cases in Kenya. The DCI's efforts have led to several arrests and convictions in recent years, demonstrating the government's commitment to combating this crime.

Lawyers should be aware of the potential compliance exposure for businesses and individuals involved in international travel arrangements. They should advise clients on the risks of human trafficking, particularly in cases where individuals are being facilitated to travel through multiple countries.

The rescue of three Indian nationals from a suspected human trafficking ring in Ruiru highlights the need for vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies. The case also underscores the importance of educating travelers about the risks of human trafficking and the need to be cautious when accepting travel arrangements from unknown individuals.

For businesses and individuals involved in international travel, this case serves as a reminder of the potential compliance exposure and the need to ensure that their operations are not facilitating human trafficking. Lawyers should advise clients on the necessary steps to take to mitigate these risks and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Lawyers should watch for potential compliance exposure and advise clients on the risks of human trafficking, particularly in cases where individuals are being facilitated to travel through multiple countries.

Source: Original reporting via Nairobi-based news outlet