A Kiambu Man Has Been Charged With Smuggling 108 Ethopians

The 108 Ethiopians, aged 13 to 35, were discovered trapped inside a room in Mugumo Estate.

In the case of 108 Ethiopians who were reportedly trafficked and rescued last week in Kiambu County, a man has been charged.

Husuman Moche appeared before Kahawa Law Courts Chief Magistrate Diane Mochache on Monday and denied two allegations of human trafficking.

Moche was accused of sheltering 61 Ethiopian nationals for the purpose of exploitation via deceit, together with three others, in Mugumo Estate on February 18th.

He was also accused of smuggling 47 children.

After the prosecution denied him bail, Justice Mochache ordered that Moche be detained at Muthaiga Police Station.

"This is a critical and complicated situation. In accordance with Section 53 of the constitution, we have 47 youngsters in our custody."The Standard quoted Mochache as adding, "It is in the best interest of a child, whether the youngster is a victim or in conflict with the law, that this matter be heard on March 3rd and 4th consecutively."

The 108 Ethiopians, ages 13 to 35, were found trapped inside a room of a property whose owner is suspected of being a member of a human trafficking gang operating across the Horn of Africa during the arrest.

Last Monday, police in Nairobi's Buruburu neighbourhood discovered 20 illegal immigrants thought to be from Ethiopia.

When residents in the Savana region noticed a large number of foreigners strolling around, they alerted the cops.

According to preliminary findings, they were on their way to South Africa and that the property's owner left them alone, allowing them to wander out of the house, generating concern among the estate's residents.