Human trafficking has now become rampant in the world, and as rare as it is, it happens under our very own noses. In Kenya, four Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers and two from the airport have reportedly been sent home to allow for investigations over human trafficking at JKIA between 2018 and 2019.
A letter signed by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Kenya Police Service Edward Mbugua reads: “From reliable information reaching this office it is alleged that on diverse dates in 2018 and 2019 jointly with other police officers and Immigration offices at JKIA you have been involved in human trafficking.”
The four from DCI and the two from Kenya Airport Police Unit (KAPU) are linked to the multi-million dollar syndicate.
Surveillance has been enhanced after the US Department of State raised concerns that there were no investigations into official complicity, despite credible reports of traffickers obtaining fraudulent identity documents from corrupt officials.
The officers were taken off duty to allow for investigations and further probing on February 7th, 2019.
“Investigations into the allegations have been instituted to establish the truth. In order not to interfere with potential witnesses, I have decided to interdict you from duty with effect from February 7, 2019,” stated Mbugua.
The activity is exposing the country to a major security threat according to investigations by a joint team of detectives from the National Intelligence Service (NIS), (DCI and other external agencies who revealed further collusion among staff from the police, Immigration, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and some recruitment agencies.
Kenya continues to battle with illegal recruiters with networks in Uganda and Ethiopia and who recruit Ugandan, Rwandese and Ethiopian workers through fraudulent offers in the Middle East and Asia, according to US Department of State’s 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report.
October 2018, some officials at the airport were dismissed on allegations of being involved in smuggling Ugandans to the Middle East for odd jobs, ranging from being househelps to porters and watchmen among others.