Nominated MP, Hon. Irene Mayaka has raised alarm over the fate of Kenyans who have fallen victim to a human trafficking syndicate operating under the guise of lucrative job offers in Thailand.
While addressing the House, Hon. Mayaka called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and State Department for Diaspora Affairs to take immediate action and engage with the Government of Thailand in rescuing Kenyans stranded at the Myanmar-Thailand border.
“Since 2022, hundreds of Kenyans have fallen victim to an elaborate human trafficking syndicate operating under the guise of lucrative job offers in Thailand. Many are lured with promises of employment as customer service agents, drivers, waiters, among others. However, upon arrival in Bangkok, Thailand, they are kidnapped and transported to the border town of Mae Sot, from where they are smuggled into Myanmar,” said Hon. Mayaka.
Hon. Mayaka described the expirences of victims who were promised roles as customer service agents, drivers, and waiters, are instead kidnapped upon arrival in Bangkok and smuggled into Myanmar, where they are subjected to forced labor and criminal activities, including online scams.
“However, upon arrival in Bangkok, Thailand, they are kidnapped and transported to the border town of Mae Sot, from where they are smuggled into Myanmar,” added Hon. Mayaka
“The conditions at these borders are dire, as they lack basic necessities such as food, water, and sanitation facilities, while the security situation is volatile,” she noted, adding that the closed border has prevented many from returning to Thailand, compounding their plight.
Hon. Irene Mayaka sought details on the status of Kenyans currently stranded in Myanmar, and especially those currently stranded at the Myanmar-Thailand border, including the number of Kenyans affected, the current security situation and timelines for their repatriation.
She asked, “What is the immediate action being taken by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to engage with the Government of Thailand in rescuing Kenyans stranded at the Myanmar-Thailand border.”
Furthermore, Hon. Mayaka called for transparency regarding “measures taken by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to engage with the Government of Thailand in addressing the issue of human trafficking, including cooperation strategies and stringent border control measures to prevent further trafficking of Kenyans.”
The legislator are also sought a “report on the status of investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations into human trafficking networks in Kenya operated by fraudulent employment agencies,” and “steps taken by the Government to educate the youth about human trafficking, specifically sensitising them on verifying recruitment agencies before seeking employment abroad.”
The matter was referred to the Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations for a response within two weeks.
