At least 70 foreign nationals were rescued on Wednesday during a police operation targeting suspected human trafficking in Ruai, Nairobi.
Detectives from the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) at DCI Headquarters, acting on a tip-off, carried out the raid.
Officers stormed a residential house in the Ruai area, where dozens of foreign nationals were found locked inside under unclear circumstances. They were later joined by officers from Ruai Police Station during the operation.
Police said 70 individuals were rescued from the house, including 66 Ethiopian nationals and four Eritrean nationals.
A Kenyan was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident.
The rescued individuals were taken into custody pending processing and further investigations.
Those rescued said they were fleeing problems in their home countries and were heading to South Africa in search of better opportunities.
Police said most of the individuals use the Moyale route to reach South Africa and the Middle East, often unaware of the risks involved.
Tens of foreign nationals are frequently intercepted in different parts of the country while awaiting transportation to their next destinations.
This latest rescue follows recent interventions highlighting Kenya’s ongoing efforts to curb organised crime.
On February 7, officers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) intercepted two separate cases involving suspected human trafficking and immigration fraud, reinforcing Kenya’s ongoing efforts to curb organised crime and protect citizens seeking opportunities abroad.
According to a statement on X by the Kenya Police Service, in one case, a traveller attempting to fly to Europe was found in possession of a forged visa.
"In the first incident, he was arrested while en route to Amsterdam after being found with a forged Bosnia and Herzegovina visa," read the statement.In a separate operation, another traveller heading to the United Kingdom was detained with a forged residence permit.
A local facilitator was also apprehended in connection with this case.
"Officers arrested a Sudanese national travelling to the UK, who was found in possession of a forged UK residence permit. His Kenyan facilitator was arrested alongside him," the statement added.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
The arrests underscore the ongoing risks posed by transnational criminal networks that exploit vulnerable individuals.
Recent reports indicate a rising trend of Kenyans being targeted by fraudulent job offers abroad, often facilitated by intermediaries promising employment opportunities in Europe or the Middle East.
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