78 more Kenyans rescued from Myanmar arrive home
The final group of 78 arrived in Nairobi on Saturday following a successful repatriation effort spearheaded by the Kenyan Embassy in Thailand.
Dozens of Kenyans rescued from human trafficking rings in Myanmar have returned home after weeks of captivity in scam compounds.
The final group of 78 arrived in Nairobi on Saturday following a successful repatriation effort spearheaded by the Kenyan Embassy in Thailand.
More To Read
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 47 of the returnees landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Saturday morning, while the remaining 31 touched down shortly after 12:30 pm via Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
The State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu, who was at the airport, received them.
Once cleared at the airport, the victims were processed and were expected to record statements at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to help officers understand how they ended up in Myanmar.
Some of the returnees, speaking to Citizen TV, recounted harrowing experiences, including torture and forced labour. They claimed they were beaten and abused whenever they failed to meet the demands of their captors.
The latest rescue comes just two weeks after another group of 48 Kenyans was repatriated from the Thailand–Myanmar border, bringing the total number of rescued victims to over 120.
What was initially presented as lucrative job offers in Myanmar turned out to be a façade for human trafficking operations, where hundreds of foreign nationals, including Kenyans, were held captive in scam centres. Most victims of trafficking were women under 35 years.
The government has since warned citizens seeking jobs abroad to be vigilant and only travel with verified work permits or visas.
“There are no jobs in Thailand, India or Malaysia. These countries also have unemployment challenges. If someone is recruiting you for a job in any of these places, you’re likely to be a victim of trafficking. Run! And report them to us,” PS Njogu warned in a post on X dated January 24, 2025.
Authorities have urged job-seekers to consult the diaspora office to confirm the legitimacy of any overseas job offers.
Top Stories Today
