Police Rescue 57 Women In A Human Traffic-Linked Syndicate In Nakuru
Police in Njoro, Nakuru County, have rescued 67 girls from a facility linked to a travel agency, where they were allegedly being held ahead of a planned travel to Gulf countries for job opportunities.
Addressing the press on Sunday, March 29, Njoro Sub-County police commander Nelson Koech noted that the victims claimed that they were threatened and assaulted in the facility.
Police executed the raid after one of the girls alerted security agencies, claiming they had been confined on the premises for months while waiting for travel documents.
Koech claimed the girls were living in an overcrowded and unhygienic space at the facility, which is allegedly operated by a travel agency whose licence reportedly expired late last year
“This place was very dirty, there were insects everywhere, and we were unable to sleep. We were forced to sleep during the day because at night we couldn’t,” one victim said.
Koech has confirmed that security agencies have closed the facility to pave was or comprehensive investigations.
However, lawyers representing the operators of the facilities have said that they will challenge the decision in court.
They maintained that the statements that were made by the girls were false.
“This is the first time I have heard complaints of torture. Who is threatening them?” a lawyer representing the operators posed.
“I am a human rights lawyer in this town, and in fact, I would have been at the forefront to fight for them if there were such allegations. It is wrong to make blanket statements.”
The government has repeatedly cautioned Kenyans seeking jobs abroad to do so through the right channels to guarantee a seamless process.
Kenyans should apply for jobs abroad through travel agencies that are registered with the National Employment Authority (NEA) and the Business Registration Service (BRS).
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The Ministry of Labour encourages Kenyans to verify the legitimacy of a Job opportunity and recruitment agencies through the NEA website.
In a statement on Tuesday, January 20, Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua confirmed that a total of 390 cases of alleged labour and travel agency fraud are currently under investigation.
The ministry warned Kenyans against travelling on tourist visas for employment, making payments through their personal numbers, or making cash payments without written agreements or official receipts.
“Some individuals and companies alleged to have defrauded Kenyans are not registered with the National Employment Authority (NEA) or the Business Registration Service (BRS). This constitutes an offence,” Mutua stated.
Police Rescue 57 Women In A Human Traffic-Linked Syndicate In Nakuru
