Machakos police arrest 19 Ethiopians for being in the country illegally

Police in Joska, Machakos County on Thursday arrested 19 Ethiopians for being in the country illegally.

The suspected illegal aliens were found hidden in a house within Waswa village in Muthwani, Athi River South.

According to the police, the group, aged between 16 and 19, were on their way to South Africa, where they said they would get better jobs.

“They are being questioned to find out more about their movements. They don't have any documents to justify their presence here,” police said shortly after the arrests.

Authorities said they got a tip from residents who were suspicious of what was happening in the residential house where they were kept.

The matter was reported to the Joska police station as a case of human trafficking.

Two individuals Mohammed Noor-Burji,72, and Nasibo Mohammed Noor-Burji are suspected of trafficking the group and were also arrested.

They will be charged with trafficking in persons contrary to section 3(1)(d) read with section 3(5) of the Counter Trafficking in Persons Act No 8 of 2010.

“They will be charged with being in the country illegally contrary to Section 53(2) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act 2011,” police said.

Individuals found to be unlawfully present in Kenya may face deportation or removal proceedings.

Additionally, they may be subject to fines or other penalties as outlined by Kenyan immigration laws.

Penalties can range from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the violation and other factors involved.