Eight Ethiopians, who were being smuggled, were arrested at a hospital after their vehicle was involved in a fatal accident in Mwea, Kirinyaga County. The accident, which occurred on Saturday, July 27, claimed the lives of two individuals. According to police, the group, along with their Kenyan driver, was traveling in a salon car when the accident happened at Mutithi Shopping Centre.
Discovery and Arrest at Hospital
The injured individuals were rushed to White House Hospital by a good Samaritan. Hospital staff reported that nine accident victims had arrived, but eight of them could not speak any of the national languages. Police officers responded and discovered that the victims included one Kenyan with multiple injuries and eight Ethiopian nationals, aged between 16 and 20.
Details of the Accident
The accident occurred along the Sagana-Makutano highway in the Riandira area. The vehicle, a Toyota Probox, was involved in a collision with a motorcycle. Both vehicles were heading in the same direction when the accident happened. The impact resulted in the immediate death of the motorcycle rider and a passenger. The driver of the Toyota Probox fled the scene.
Medical Treatment and Legal Proceedings
The victims received first aid at the White House Hospital and were later transferred to Kerugoya General Hospital. The Kenyan driver was admitted with injuries, while the eight Ethiopian nationals, who sustained minor injuries, were treated and discharged in stable condition. They were subsequently escorted to the police station, where they were booked. Police indicated that the Ethiopians would be charged and deported.
Context of Smuggling Operations
This incident is part of a larger pattern of smuggling Ethiopians through Kenya. According to officials, many Ethiopian nationals use the Moyale route to attempt to reach South Africa and the Middle East, despite the dangers involved. There have been numerous arrests of Ethiopian migrants in various parts of Kenya as they wait to be transported to their next destinations. The Transnational Organized Crime unit is conducting joint operations to address the issue of human smuggling.
Challenges and Legal Actions
The situation raises concerns about how these immigrants manage to bypass numerous police roadblocks from the Moyale border to Nairobi. There are over 20 roadblocks along the route, highlighting the challenge for security agencies in controlling this illegal activity. In response to the ongoing issue, an Ethiopian national was recently sentenced to 31 years in prison for trafficking 12 fellow Ethiopian immigrants in Nairobi.
