By Vincent Mabatuk
NAKURU; KENYA: Police in Rongai, Nakuru County have intercepted a bus at a road block transporting 19 suspected Ethiopians on route to Nairobi.
According to the police, the bus was flagged down near Salgaa Trading Centre along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway after they received a tip off from the driver of the vehicle which had other commuters at the time of arrest.
Confirming the arrest, Rongai OCPD Joseph Mwamburi said the suspects were on their way to Nairobi from Kitale town and said investigations were on course to establish their origin, where they were heading in Nairobi and their mission.
The police boss said none of them could communicate in either English or Swahili hence complicated their investigation but said they were seeking services of an interpreter.
“We have experienced language barrier given that none of them can speak Swahili or English but we have sought help from an interpreter,” said the OCPD.
Mr Mwamburi also revealed that none of the suspects had identification documents.
According to him, the suspects either escaped from refugee camp within the Country or illegally crossed the border before making their way into the Country.
The OCPD said the driver made several attempts to alert police officers manning road blocks from Kitale but was ignored.
“We have the information that the driver unsuccessfully tried to inform traffic police along the way but it was only until Salgaa when they were flushed out and action taken,” said Mwamburi.
The suspects, who are all men and aged between 27- 60 years are currently held at Rongai police station and will be arraigned in court on Tuesday after the police complete its investigations.
In the past, illegal migrants have fallen to police traps along Eldama Ravine-Eldoret road on route to the capital city in their attempts to escape several police roadblocks along the highway.
