The rescue of four children from a bedsitter in Kajiado County has led to the arrest of a man suspected of running a child trafficking operation, with detectives now investigating whether more minors could have been affected.
The suspect, identified as Enock Peterson Mwangi, alias Mwamburi, was arrested on Friday at Korompoi Trading Centre in Isinya Sub-County during a multi-agency operation involving officers from the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The operation followed investigations into Mwangi’s alleged involvement in child trafficking.
According to the DCI, officers found four children aged between one and 17 years inside the premises where the suspect was residing. The circumstances surrounding their presence there have prompted further inquiries, with investigators also examining whether the minors may have been subjected to other forms of abuse.
The children were immediately rescued and taken to hospital for medical attention before being placed in safe custody as government agencies continued with investigations and other measures to protect them.
Detectives have since expanded their inquiries beyond Isinya, with preliminary findings linking the suspect’s alleged activities to Mashuru in Kajiado County and Nakuru County.
Investigators are following additional leads to establish how extensive the suspected trafficking activities were and whether other children could have been victims.
Mwangi is being processed before being taken to court, where he is expected to face appropriate charges.
The case comes amid continued concern over the trafficking and exploitation of children in Kenya, with DCI data showing that 191 trafficking victims were rescued in 2023. This was lower than the 423 victims rescued in 2022 and 437 in 2021.
Despite the drop in the number of victims rescued, arrests of suspected traffickers rose during the same period. A total of 51 suspected traffickers were arrested in 2023, compared with 46 in 2022 and 22 in 2021.
The figures, however, do not give a full picture of the scale of trafficking in the country.
The US Department of State has previously reported that Kenya did not have a centralised law-enforcement data system for trafficking cases. The gap made it difficult to compile complete national figures and could result in some cases going unreported.
Government records show that 22 trafficking cases were investigated in 2023. They included five sex trafficking cases, five involving labour trafficking and 12 cases in which the form of trafficking was not specified.
During the year, the government identified 201 trafficking victims, among them 55 victims of sex trafficking and 17 victims of labour trafficking.
Children are among those most at risk of being exploited, with traffickers reported to use them for domestic work, farming, fishing, cattle herding, street vending and forced begging. Some are also subjected to sexual exploitation.
The DCI’s Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit handles specialised investigations involving child trafficking, child abuse and other offences against children.
The unit is also involved in identifying and supporting victims and works with child protection agencies to ensure rescued children receive medical care, counselling, safe custody and support to return to safe environments.
The DCI has warned that people involved in trafficking and exploiting children will face continued pursuit by law enforcement agencies.
“Child trafficking is a grave crime that robs children of their innocence, safety and future. Those involved in the trafficking, exploitation or abuse of children, as well as those who facilitate such crimes, are hereby put on notice that law enforcement agencies will relentlessly pursue them and bring them to justice,” the agency said.
The agency has urged members of the public to report cases involving suspected trafficking, exploitation or abuse of children.
Such information can be shared anonymously through the DCI toll-free number 0800 722 203 or its WhatsApp number 0709 570 000.
Cases of child abuse and exploitation can also be reported through the national Child Helpline on 116, operated by Childline Kenya in partnership with the government. Reports are then handled through children officers at county and sub-county levels.
Investigations into the Kajiado incident are continuing as detectives work to establish whether additional children were involved and whether the suspect may have been connected to a wider trafficking network.