Hassan Rajab Namukhabwa, a Kakamega resident, appeared in court facing charges of illegally trafficking 36 women under Kenya's Counter Trafficking of Persons Act (2010). The accused denied the allegations during his hearing before Resident Magistrate William Lopokoiyit on March 4, 2019.
The case stems from an alleged scheme between February 23 and March 1, 2019, when Namukhabwa reportedly recruited women through Al Hujra Company, promising employment in Saudi Arabia. He was arrested at St Lukes International Secondary School, where authorities discovered 36 women housed under the guise of a religious seminar. School administrators raised concerns on the fourth day after noticing no activities and the presence of only women.
Mumias Police intervened after being alerted, rescuing the women who were later released unconditionally. Namukhabwa was granted Sh100,000 bail with a surety or Sh20,000 cash alternative. The case is scheduled for mention on March 18 and trial on April 18, 2019.
