Kenya's immigration and law enforcement agencies are investigating claims of border collusion following a surge in illegal entries from Ethiopia and Eritrea, particularly at the Moyale border point. Since September 2018, police have arrested multiple groups of foreigners, raising concerns about document fraud and human trafficking networks.
On Saturday and Sunday, 41 Ethiopians were detained at Moyale after crossing the border. A separate operation in Karatina, Nyeri County, led to the arrest of 16 Ethiopians—including 13 men and three women—intercepted en route to Nairobi from Moyale on Sunday evening. Mathira East Sub-County Police Commander James Baraza noted the suspects possessed legitimate travel documents but failed to provide credible explanations for their presence in Kenya.
"Some claimed to be tourists or businesspeople but could not specify their destinations or business activities," Baraza stated. "Their documents appear to have been obtained illegally. We are conducting a thorough investigation." Marsabit County Police Commander Steve Oloo echoed these concerns, citing 23 arrests in Sololo on Sunday and questioning how foreigners obtained valid stamps despite lacking proper immigration compliance.
Oloo called for an inquiry into potential syndicates at Moyale's immigration office, urging caution to prevent drug trafficking and human smuggling. A local NGO, Strategies for Northern Development (SND), reported that nearly six children are trafficked daily from Ethiopia into Kenya, with many households in Moyale, Wajir, Garissa, and Mandera employing Ethiopian or Eritrean domestic workers.
Police have pledged to close unregulated trafficking routes and collaborate with communities to address the crisis. Oloo warned against officer complicity, stating that any implicated personnel would face legal consequences to deter misconduct.
