By Sharon Mwaniki
In a daring operation, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) have successfully thwarted a human trafficking ring, rescuing 17 individuals believed to be victims of this heinous crime.
“DCI’s Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) detectives have today arrested a driver and his turnboy, and rescued 17 persons believed to be victims of human trafficking; a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights,” stated the detectives.
The operation unfolded with precision as the sleuths, acting on valuable intelligence, laid a trap at the Makupa bridge in Mombasa, intercepted an Isuzu lorry with the registration number KCL 849M, driven by Richard Mbeke, suspected to be transporting the victims.
“Acting on intelligence, the sleuths laid a trap at Makupa bridge where they intercepted an Isuzu lorry Reg. No. KCL 849M that was being driven by Richard Mbeke,” explained the DCI
With the victims safely rescued, the perpetrators, including the driver Richard Mbeke and his accomplice Joseph Ndung’u, were swiftly apprehended. Together, they were escorted to the Makupa Police Station to face the full force of the law.
“Upon opening the lorry’s carriage, 17 men of Ethiopian origin were rescued from therein and escorted to Makupa Police Station in the company of the lorry’s driver and his turnboy Joseph Ndung’u,”
In recognition of Article 53(1) of the Constitution of Kenya and section 8 of the Children Act 2022, the DCI established the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit to ensure and promote the principle of the best interest of the child and in the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through specialized investigations.