At least 74 Kenyans have been rescued from a human trafficking syndicate in Myanmar, where they had been forced to work in scam call centres under the control of rebel groups. The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs confirmed the rescue operation, which was carried out in two phases after months of negotiations.
The victims had initially been lured with promises of security jobs in Myanmar but were instead coerced into working for criminal enterprises engaged in online scams, including identity theft, phishing, romance scams, and cryptocurrency fraud. The plight of these Kenyans highlights the growing trend of human traffickers using deceptive job offers to exploit vulnerable individuals.
The first group of 24 Kenyans was among 261 foreigners released on February 12, 2025, following negotiations led by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA). The rescue effort was coordinated by the Kenya Embassy in Thailand alongside international partners operating in both Thailand and Myanmar. A second batch of 46 Kenyans was freed on February 18, thanks to efforts by the DKBA and the Border Guard Force (BCF). Despite their rescue, they remain in Myanmar territory pending formal handover to Thai authorities.
Additionally, four Kenyans managed to escape the trafficking network and cross into Thailand on February 8. They were rescued by Thai civilians and later placed in the custody of border security officials.
The Kenyan government has since issued a warning to its citizens regarding fraudulent job offers targeting young people. Many victims were deceived into believing they were securing employment in Thailand, only to be trafficked into Myanmar. The Ministry urged Kenyans to verify job offers through official channels, including the Kenya Embassy in Bangkok, before making travel arrangements.
“This case underscores the dangers posed by human traffickers who operate through deceptive recruitment schemes,” the Ministry stated. “Kenyans should be aware that traffickers use Thailand as a trapdoor to lure vulnerable youth into Myanmar.”
The rescue operation comes as global attention increasingly focuses on the plight of foreign nationals caught in Myanmar’s conflict zones, where armed groups engage in both military and criminal activities. The successful release of the 74 Kenyans represents a critical step in the fight against human trafficking, but the Ministry continues to emphasize the need for vigilance among job seekers.
Authorities in Kenya, Thailand, and Myanmar are expected to coordinate further efforts to repatriate the victims safely. The Ministry has also called for strengthened measures to combat human trafficking networks that exploit unsuspecting individuals seeking better employment opportunities abroad.
