Tanzanian arrested after police rescue 16 minors in Nairobi

Police have rescued 16 children—11 boys and five girls—feared to be victims of human trafficking in Kayole, in Nairobi.

According to the police, the girls were aged two, six, seven, 10 and 12.

Daniel Odongo, a Children Protection officer in Embakasi East constituency, alerted the police of the presence of the children in a residential plot within Nyando area.

The officers went to the two-bedroomed rental house and arrested a Kenyan woman identified as Linet Akinyi and a Tanzanian national named Isaack Mwanjeka.

Safe custody

Upon interrogation, the two could not explain why the children were in their custody.

Police, however, suspect the children were to be trafficked to a yet-to –be established location.

Nairobi Region Police Commander Adamson Bungei yesterday said investigations had been launched to establish whether it was a case of child trafficking or a licencing matter.

“The owner of the facility had at least three other children’s homes which were closed due to other issues including licences. Our detectives are trying to establish if the owners were trying to establish another home,” Bungei said.

Members of the public have been advised to visit the police station to help in the identification of the victims.

All the children were temporarily placed at By Grace Children’s Home in Nyando under the care of the founder, Salome Muturi

The Missing Child Foundation yesterday said the children had been taken to safe custody.

“The Directorate of Children’s Services is currently undertaking a wellness assessment for the children, and police are following due procedure on the matter,” they said.