Ethiopian couple arrested in Nairobi over alleged human trafficking

Two Ethiopian nationals suspected of trafficking Somali nationals for exploitation in Libya are in custody at Pangani Police Station as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) investigates a human trafficking network.

The suspects, identified as Anna Abdirahaman and his wife, Hayat Mohamed, are accused of trafficking multiple individuals, including a 17-year-old girl. Initial investigations suggest the pair lured their victims to Eastleigh and facilitated their exploitation abroad.

The case came to light after the minor was reported missing on December 25, 2024, under Occurrence Book (OB) number 69/25/12/2024 at Pangani Police Station. Her parents, residents of Nasra Gardens Estate in Pangani, learned from their daughter's friend that she had been taken to Libya.

In an affidavit submitted at the Makadara Law Courts, Detective Constable Abdirahaman Bulle of Starehe DCI offices revealed that the minor had been trafficked through Kampala, Uganda, and Sudan, with promises of being transported to Europe. However, she ended up in Libya, where she remains, reportedly undergoing exploitation.

The investigation uncovered the involvement of an individual identified as "Blacky," who allegedly colluded with the suspects to traffic victims.

Detective Abdirahaman requested a 14-day detention period for the suspects at Pangani Police Station to facilitate further investigations. He informed the court that the minor’s relatives, posing as potential victims, arranged a meeting with the suspects.

The suspects lured the relatives to their residence in Pangani Shopping Centre, promising to transfer them to Libya via Kampala. The relatives informed the police, who intervened and arrested the suspects. The suspects were booked under OB number 123/27/12/2024.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Anna and Hayat are Ethiopian nationals unlawfully present in Kenya without valid passports or visas.

The DCI is conducting forensic analysis of the suspects' mobile phones to trace their accomplices and locate additional missing persons. Investigators are also liaising with the Immigration Department to verify the suspects' legal status in Kenya.

Senior Principal Magistrate Justus Kituku is set to rule on the detention application on December 31, 2024.