The last group of 78 Kenyans who had been stuck in scam compounds in Myanmar and Thailand has finally arrived back in the country. This marks the successful repatriation of all Kenyans stranded abroad due to human trafficking activities.
Final Group of Kenyans Arrive
Officials reported that 31 Kenyans arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Saturday afternoon, adding to the 47 who had landed earlier. This completes the repatriation of all 156 Kenyans who had been trapped in Myanmar.
PS Roseline Njogu’s Warning to Kenyans
Upon receiving the victims at JKIA, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, issued a stern warning to Kenyans against traveling to Thailand on tourist visas, lured by false job promises.
She explained that many Kenyans had been duped by smugglers into entering Thailand and eventually ending up in forced labor camps in Myanmar, where they were subjected to online fraud activities.
The Human Trafficking Crisis in Myanmar and Thailand
Many of the victims were coerced into scamming, identity theft, phishing, and cryptocurrency fraud activities. Those who refused to cooperate were subjected to physical abuse and harsh conditions.
The traffickers misled victims by offering them jobs in Thailand but instead obtained tourist visas for them. Upon arrival in Thailand, they were trafficked into Myanmar where they worked under deplorable conditions in online fraud centers.
Government Response and Investigation
Following the repatriation, officials from the Ministry of Labour (CTIP) and HAART Kenya conducted screenings and counseling for the victims. DCI officers from the Transnational Organised Crime Unit interviewed the victims to aid in further arrests of traffickers and facilitators.
Reopening of Thai Borders and Humanitarian Efforts
Kenya had been negotiating with the Thai government since February to ensure the safe return of its nationals. The border between Thailand and Myanmar was reopened on humanitarian grounds, enabling the Kenyan victims to be repatriated.
Advice for Kenyans
The PS urged Kenyans to use reputable recruitment agencies and report suspicious activities to authorities to avoid falling victim to trafficking schemes.
