Four Ethiopian nationals were apprehended on Sunday night after arriving without any travel documents. The individuals, who were allegedly duped by a suspected smuggler, had been promised passage to the Middle East but were left stranded at the airport.
Upon arrival, the four Ethiopians informed police that their contact, presumably a smuggler, had directed them to wait at the airport for further instructions. After waiting in vain for several hours, they proceeded to the screening area, where airport security inquired about their travel plans. The group revealed they were waiting for their contact to facilitate their journey, leading to the discovery that they lacked any travel documentation.
Consequently, airport security made the decision to arrest the four individuals. Police have stated that they will face charges of being in the country unlawfully before plans are made to repatriate them to Ethiopia.
This incident is part of a larger pattern of illegal immigration involving Ethiopian nationals. Currently, police are holding over 50 Ethiopians in various detention facilities across Kenya, all of whom were found in the country illegally and are believed to be victims of smuggling operations. While some have already been repatriated, many are still awaiting processing.
An officer familiar with the issue explained, “Some have been repatriated, but we have more than 50 waiting to be processed.” Most of these individuals lack any form of travel documentation.
In a related incident last week, several Ethiopian detainees at the Buruburu police station in Nairobi staged a hunger strike, demanding to be repatriated. This highlights the desperation and dire conditions faced by these individuals, many of whom embark on perilous journeys in search of better opportunities or as transit points to other destinations.
The route from Moyale, on the Ethiopia-Kenya border, is a common pathway for these immigrants. Many use it to try their luck as they head to South Africa and the Middle East, often oblivious to the dangers ahead. Tens of these individuals are usually arrested in various parts of Kenya as they await movement to their next destinations.
The persistence of this illegal immigration trend has prompted officials from the Transnational Organized Crime Unit to conduct joint operations aimed at tackling human smuggling. Despite these efforts, the sheer number of roadblocks – more than 20 – between Moyale and Nairobi raises questions about the effectiveness of security measures in curbing this illegal activity.
One notable case involved Ethiopian national Yibekal Gatachew, also known as Adinan Mohamed Galano, who was sentenced to 31 years in prison for trafficking 12 fellow Ethiopians in Nairobi. Gatachew was arrested on November 3, 2021, in Ngumo estate, Nairobi, and was subsequently sentenced by a Kahawa West Law Court on September 7, 2023. His case underscores the severe penalties being imposed on individuals involved in human trafficking.
As the authorities continue their efforts to dismantle these smuggling networks, most of the apprehended individuals are eventually repatriated to their home countries. However, the challenge remains significant, and the complexity of the smuggling operations requires sustained and coordinated efforts from both local and international law enforcement agencies.
The plight of these Ethiopian nationals highlights the broader issue of human trafficking and illegal immigration, calling for a comprehensive approach to address the root causes and provide support to the victims caught in these perilous situations.
