By Dorothy Musyoka
In a heightened crackdown on undocumented foreign nationals entering Kenya for unclear purposes, 11 male suspects were arrested in Kitale during an intelligence-led operation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Operation Support Unit (OSU).
“As hawkshaws intensify pursuit for undocumented foreign nationals sneaking into the country for unestablished businesses, 11 male suspects have been rounded up in Kitale in an intelligence-led operation conducted by the DCI Operation Support Unit (OSU),” confirmed the DCI.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the group, which was en route to Nairobi’s Eastleigh area from Uganda, comprised eight Somali and Ugandan nationals and three Kenyans, traveling in a Toyota Hiace with registration number KCF 860E when they were intercepted by law enforcement.
“The eleven who were headed to Nairobi’s Eastleigh area from Uganda included three Kenyan men and eight Somalia and Uganda nationals, chauffeured in a Toyota Hiace Reg No. KCF 860E,” the detectives noted.
Despite several attempts by the vehicle’s driver to evade police surveillance, the driver eventually surrendered and pulled over, leading to the arrest of all occupants.
The suspects were detained at Tarakwa Police Station, awaiting further action.
The Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) has since taken over the investigation to determine the suspects’ intentions in the country. Authorities are probing the possibility of illegal activities, including human trafficking, in which the foreign nationals could potentially be victims.
The arrest of eleven suspects comes as part of a broader campaign by Kenyan security agencies to tighten border controls and ensure that all foreign nationals comply with the country’s immigration and business laws.