Kenyan police rescue 70 foreign nationals from traffickers

Police officers carried out the operation after receiving a tip-off from members of the public as authorities raided a residential house in the Ruai area on the eastern side of Nairobi where the migrants were reportedly being confined.

According to police, the group consisted of 66 Ethiopian nationals and four Eritreans.

Officers said the migrants were found inside the house in difficult conditions before being safely removed from the property. They were later transferred to a secure location where they are receiving assistance and undergoing initial screening by relevant authorities.

One Kenyan suspect was arrested during the operation and remains in police custody as investigations continue.

Police shared details of the rescue through a statement posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Kenya is widely considered a key transit hub for migrants travelling from the Horn of Africa in search of employment opportunities abroad.

Many migrants from Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia attempt to reach destinations such as South Africa, Gulf states or Europe. However, trafficking networks often exploit migrants by promising safe travel routes and well-paying jobs that rarely materialize.

Authorities say traffickers frequently operate through loosely connected regional networks involving recruiters, transporters and local facilitators.

Migrants are sometimes held in temporary safe houses while traffickers arrange transport or demand additional payments.

Police said investigations are underway to determine whether the Ruai house was part of a wider human trafficking operation operating within Nairobi and other regions.

Officials added that the rescued migrants will undergo identification, medical checks and immigration processing before authorities determine the next steps, including possible repatriation.

Law enforcement agencies have urged members of the public to continue reporting suspicious activities as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle trafficking networks targeting vulnerable migrants.