58 Ethiopian nationals rescued from human trafficking ring in Kitengela
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) shared that preliminary findings indicate the victims had been brought to the house three days earlier and were waiting to be transported to South Africa.
Officers from the Transnational Organised Crime Unit and Kitengela Police Station rescued 58 Ethiopian nationals who had been held captive in a house in Kitengela.
Acting on a tip-off from concerned members of the public, the operation led to the arrest of two Kenyan men. The victims, who were malnourished and without identification documents, had been confined in the house, awaiting transport to South Africa.
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"The operation, carried out by officers from the Transnational Organised Crime Unit and Kitengela Police Station, successfully rescued 58 Ethiopian nationals who had been held in captivity in a house near the House of Deliverance Center in Kitengela. Two suspects were arrested during the operation," said DCI.
The rescue mission unfolded after residents reported seeing a group of Ethiopians confined in a maisonette within the area.
Responding swiftly to the tip-off, law enforcement officers arrived at the location to find the victims in a weakened and malnourished state, lacking identification documents.
They were being held under the watch of two suspects: Daniel Nduati Kingoo and Peter Maina Kimemia, both Kenyan nationals.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS RESCUED; SUSPECTS ARRESTED
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) February 5, 2025
A well-coordinated operation by officers from the Transnational Organized Crime Unit and Kitengela Police Station has successfully rescued 58 Ethiopian nationals who were being held in a house near the House of Deliverance… pic.twitter.com/zCvWGqVFxV
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) shared that preliminary findings indicate the victims had been brought to the house three days earlier and were waiting to be transported to South Africa.
"Preliminary investigations have shown that the victims were brought to the house three days prior and were awaiting transportation to South Africa, said the DCI.
The victims were being held in inhumane conditions, awaiting further arrangements for their transportation.
The rescued individuals were split between two police stations: 28 were escorted to Kitengela Police Station for further care and processing, while the remaining 30 were taken to Isinya Police Station.
Meanwhile, the two Kenyan suspects were transported to Muthaiga Police Station for interrogation.
"Out of the rescued individuals, 28 were escorted to Kitengela Police Station, while the remaining 30 were taken to Isinya Police Station. The two Kenyan suspects were escorted to Muthaiga Police Station," the DCI stated.
In addition to the rescue, a Honda motorcycle with registration number KMGK 123T was recovered from the compound and is currently being held as evidence at Kitengela Police Station.
The case remains under investigation as authorities continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the trafficking network.
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