Chained prisoners: Inside a human trafficking ring in Ngumo Estate
By Nyaboga KiageIn a landmark case that underscores Kenya’s commitment to combating human trafficking, Yibekal Gatachew, who also went by the alias Adinan Mohamed Galano, an Ethiopian national, has been sentenced to 31 years in prison by a Nairobi Court.
The sentencing came after Gatachew was apprehended by police officers on November 3, 2021, within the Ngumo Area and subsequently prosecuted in a Kahawa West Law Court.
During the police raid on Gatachew’s residence, authorities made a shocking discovery.
Twelve Ethiopian nationals were found chained in one of the rooms, awaiting transportation to a different country, with South Africa as their intended destination.
This revelation shed light on the gravity of Gatachew’s involvement in human trafficking.
Additionally, Gatachew faced another year in prison for possessing a fake alien identity card.
His arrest and conviction exposed the depth of the illicit trade in counterfeit documents associated with human trafficking networks.
The immigrants discovered in Gatachew’s custody were repatriated to Ethiopia, where they could begin rebuilding their lives.
The sentencing of Gatachew has been met with widespread approval, particularly from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss, Mohamed Amin.
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He hailed the court’s decision as a stern warning to those involved in the heinous crime of human trafficking.
“Police officers and DCI detectives are always on high alert to deal with those engaging in the business. It will be important if members of the public go on reporting such individuals,” he said.
Over the weekend, DCI detectives carried out another successful operation, raiding a building in Eastleigh, where they apprehended 30 Ethiopian nationals who were in the country illegally.
These individuals were found crowded inside a single room at a location known as Teachers’ Plaza, awaiting transfer to an undisclosed destination.
The group comprised 20 men and 10 women, and communication difficulties hindered initial interactions with the authorities.
This recent operation follows a similar incident last week when police detained 26 Ethiopian women in an unfinished house in a village in Muranga County.
These continued efforts by law enforcement agencies underscore Kenya’s commitment to dismantling human trafficking networks and ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals caught in their grasp.
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