Police want law amended to curb smuggling

By ALI ABDI

The police want laws on aliens changed to curb rising cases of human smuggling.

Eastern Provincial Police 0fficer Marcus Ochola said the existing law where such persons are jailed for a maximum of six months or fined Sh10,000 was too lenient.

Mr Ochola said police are concerned there was an increase in cases of influx of foreigners especially Ethiopians, who are smuggled through Moyale border.

"We have forwarded our proposal to the Executive on changes we want to curb influx of illegal immigrants. Meanwhile, we have put measures to check entry of the foreigners," the officer told The Standard.

Stiffer penalties

Under their proposal, the PPO said they want stiffer penalties for those found in the country illegally to serve as a deterrent measure to others.

"Long jail terms and hefty fines for foreigners would serve as a deterrent measure," said the officer.

The law enforcers’ concern comes in the wake of rising cases of human smuggling where a well-established cartel working in cahoots with Immigration officers bring in Ethiopians, who then move to South Africa.