Three Indian Nationals who had been reported missing shortly after they were cleared at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) have been rescued following a sting operation by an elite group of police officers.
In a statement issued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Tuesday, August 11, the three were rescued in a two-bedroom house in Ruiru, Kiambu County, where they were being held incommunicado.
Officers from the DCI's Operations Support Unit (OSU) also arrested six suspects, including two Pakistani nationals, two Kenyans, and a minor, in connection with the matter.
"Those arrested are Avtar Singh, an Indian national; Ali Khashif and Syed Shujaat Hussein, both Pakistani nationals; and Stephen Karomo and Damaris Katulu Daudi, both Kenyans.
"A Kenyan minor, who was allegedly working as a house help, was also found at the premises," the statement read in part.
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The elite police unit established the case as suspected human trafficking by a man believed to be the victims' receiver.
However, the suspects denied claims of any wrongdoing and told the arresting officers that they were actually helping the three Indians to get to their destination in Europe.
"During preliminary interrogation, the suspects claimed they were assisting the three Indian nationals to travel to Italy via Ethiopia," the statement continued.
Nonetheless, the DCI noted that it would continue to examine the activities of the six suspects and identify any accomplices.
The investigating agency confirmed plans to establish and determine their possible links to a human trafficking network. Meanwhile, officers are currently processing them for arraignment in court.
The arrest came a month after the detectives from the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) rescued five women being confined and exploited for commercial purposes.
The women were being held for suspected online sexual exploitation in Mihang'o, Embakasi East, Nairobi County. The officers arrested three suspects in connection with the matter.
