The fate of 129 rescued Kenyans remains uncertain as they remain stuck at the Thailand-Myanmar border, days after their escape from forced online criminal activities in Myanmar. According to Kenyan Ambassador to Thailand, Lindsay Kimwole, these individuals are among thousands of foreigners who were lured to Myanmar with the promise of lucrative jobs, only to find themselves trapped by fraud syndicates.
Kimwole, speaking to Citizen TV, detailed the stringent measures imposed by Thai authorities for the repatriation of stranded foreigners. Thailand currently allows only 300 foreigners per day to cross into its territory, despite an estimated 7,000 victims awaiting rescue at the border. Additionally, non-Chinese foreigners, including Kenyans, are permitted to enter Thailand exclusively on Mondays and Tuesdays, while Wednesdays through Fridays have been reserved for Chinese victims.
The repatriation process has been further complicated by bureaucratic hurdles, including the requirement for approval from Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This has presented challenges, particularly as the rescued Kenyans are under the control of two rival armed groups the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the Border Guard Force (BGF) who are engaged in conflict with Myanmar’s military.
“We have 47 Kenyans in the hands of DKBA and 82 in the hands of BGF. The crisis is far from over,” Kimwole explained. The BGF has shown a willingness to hand over the victims to Myanmar authorities, but DKBA has refused to cooperate, instead insisting on directly transferring the victims to Thailand. However, Thailand has since shifted its stance and now refuses to deal with non-state actors, complicating the situation further.
The Kenyan government has assured the public that efforts are ongoing to secure the safe return of its citizens. Meanwhile, families of the victims continue to anxiously await their repatriation. The situation underscores the growing human trafficking crisis in Southeast Asia, where thousands remain trapped in forced labor scams operated by criminal syndicates.
