This archive report was first published on 23 August 2019.
On August 18, 2019, four Kenyan youths, Mohamed Bwika, Stephen Malenya, Fredrick Gitari, and Mnyika Maganga, attempted to sneak into the United States by hiding in the belly of a cargo ship, MV Ken Sea, in Mombasa.
According to Senior Resident Magistrate Edgar Kagoni, the youths were caught and brought to court, where they admitted to their actions. They claimed that life in Kenya had become unbearable due to a lack of jobs and that they were seeking a better life in America.
However, Kagoni ruled that the youths must be encouraged to work hard and love their country instead of dreaming of migrating to the US. He sentenced them to six months in jail, stating that the punishment would serve as a deterrent to others with similar intentions.
"The youths must be encouraged to love their country and not dream only of going to America," Kagoni said. "Though you seem to be innocent in your endeavours to look for greener pastures, which you believe you can only be found in America, it must be noted that you were risking your lives by hiding in the ship and in that manner you threatened the crew of the ship," he added.
