This archive report was first published on 28 June 2021.
On June 28, 2021, a State agency was granted permission to seize five vehicles suspected to be used by a criminal network involved in the trafficking of Ethiopians to countries such as Tanzania and South Africa.
The Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) said the five vehicles were acquired using funds derived from the illegitimate activities of human trafficking.
One of the suspects, Peter Mugi Kamau, was arrested in October last year for harbouring 22 Ethiopians.
Mr. Kamau was subsequently charged before a Kiambu court as the agency commenced investigations to recover funds and assets acquired from the illegal trade of trafficking in persons.
According to the ARA, investigations established that Mr. Kamau devised a complex criminal network to deceive, entice, traffic, transport, and harbour vulnerable persons through an international organised criminal network for purposes of exploiting and obtaining gain or profits from the victims of human trafficking.
The vehicles in question are four Toyotas and a Nissan Caravan.
Justice James Wakiaga directed Mr. Kamau to surrender the original logbooks of the vehicles and for the Director-General of the National Transport and Safety Authority to register caveats on the vehicles.
The court also ordered a freeze of about Sh400,000 held in three accounts belonging to the suspect, which is believed to be proceeds of the illegal trade.
