Court gavel./FILEA 27-year-old suspect linked to an alleged child trafficking and sexual exploitation ring was on Wednesday arraigned before the Shanzu Law Courts after detectives rescued 22 girls in Mombasa and Kilifi counties.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the arrest followed an intelligence-led operation conducted by detectives from the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit alongside officers from the Regional Criminal Investigations Office in Mombasa.
Investigators said the operation came after weeks of investigations into reports of alleged child abuse targeting vulnerable young girls.
Detectives reportedly tracked the suspect to a house in an estate within the Concordia area of Kisauni Sub-County, where officers found him in the company of three female juveniles.
Preliminary investigations, according to the DCI, revealed what detectives described as a “disturbing scheme” allegedly involving so-called rescue centres operating across Mombasa and Kilifi counties.
Police said the facilities were presented as centres for “nurturing and mentoring young girls,” but investigators now believe they were allegedly being used for the sexual exploitation and abuse of minors.
The DCI further stated that the suspect later led officers to another facility in Ribe, Rabai Sub-County, where detectives rescued 19 more female juveniles.
The latest rescue brought the total number of girls recovered during the operation to 22.
Appearing before the Shanzu Law Courts, the suspect faced several charges, including defilement, child trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation, promotion of child trafficking and child abuse.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges and was denied bond. The matter is scheduled for mention on June 8, 2026.
In a statement, the DCI said it remains committed to protecting children from exploitation, abuse and trafficking.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations remains committed to protecting children from exploitation, abuse, and trafficking, and individuals involved in such heinous crimes will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice,” the agency said.
The case adds to growing concern over alleged trafficking and exploitation networks targeting vulnerable children under the guise of charitable or rescue programmes.
Authorities have not disclosed further details about the rescued minors, but investigations are ongoing.
