Sixty-four more Kenyans have been rescued from human trafficking rings operating in Myanmar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Sunday. The victims were freed in two separate operations that took place earlier this month, with the last group of 46 individuals released on February 18.
These Kenyans were among hundreds trafficked into Myanmar in recent months and were forced to work in scam operations, which included online fraud schemes such as identity theft and cryptocurrency scams.
The Kenyan nationals were held in conditions resembling slave labor, located in areas controlled by rebel groups, making their rescue a complex and dangerous operation.
The rescue efforts were supported by local forces, including the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the Border Guard Force (BGF), who helped coordinate the operation. Following their release, the 46 Kenyans are currently awaiting transfer to Thailand, where they will be processed before being repatriated to Kenya.
Previously, on February 8, four Kenyans managed to escape and were taken to Thailand, where they are now undergoing immigration procedures in preparation for their return.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has urged the public to be cautious when seeking work abroad, emphasizing the importance of using only government-licensed recruitment agencies to avoid falling victim to human trafficking rings.
The government has also reassured families that they are doing everything possible to ensure the safe return of all the victims.
This marks the latest in a series of rescues that highlight the growing concern over human trafficking operations in Southeast Asia, where criminal gangs prey on vulnerable individuals, particularly those seeking employment opportunities abroad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its commitment to continuing efforts to protect Kenyans from such exploitation and warned that the risks of such scams are increasing globally.
