22 Ethiopians intercepted on Thika Road for being in Kenya illegally

The police have intercepted 22 Ethiopians in Nairobi without valid documents.

The victims who were being driven in two cars were intercepted by officers from Special Crimes Prevention Unit.

Two prime human traffickers were also arrested in the operation along Thika Road on Wednesday afternoon.

The Ethiopians told police they had paid to be transported through Moyale border to Tanzania where they would connect to South Africa to seek greener pastures.

It is not clear how much each victim pays to be smuggled through Kenya.

This is the latest seizure of the immigrants who are being smuggled through the country.

Last month, 24 immigrants were arrested for being in the country illegally in Merti, Isiolo County.

The police said the 18 Ethiopians and six Eritreans were arrested in a bush during an operation by detectives.

Officials from the Transnational Organised Crime are conducting joint operations to deal with the issue of human trafficking.

Tens of Ethiopians are annually arrested in Kenya while on transit and later deported. Most of those arrested come to Kenya to seek for jobs or are on transit.

Young men

Cases of human trafficking have been on the rise in the region with hundreds of young men and women from Ethiopia finding their way into South Africa through Kenya in search of employment.

Last month, police rescued nine male victims of human smuggling from a house in Kasarani. A Kenyan who was hosting them was arrested.

On March 30, police rescued eight Eritreans while being smuggled through Kenya to Asia. This came two days after another suspected human trafficking ring was busted in Ruiru, Kiambu County.