19 Eritreans detained, vehicle impounded in alleged human smuggling case

An Isiolo court has remanded 19 Eritreans and declined to release a Prado car they were travelling in a case suspected to be human smuggling.

The foreigners, majority of them young women and children between ages of three and six, appeared before Chief Magistrate Samuel Mungai.

They were arrested en-route to Nairobi from the border town of Moyale in Marsabit County by police who were working in close collaboration with Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU), on February 6.

In his submission, senior prosecution counsel, Joseph Mburugu applied for remanding of the foreigners and the car they used to travel into Kenya from Ethiopia not to be released to the owner.

The owner of the car and the driver are at large.

‘‘The motor vehicle is a crucial exhibit and releasing it will prejudice the case and I urge the court not to release it until this case is concluded,’’ argued Mr Mburugu.

Defense counsel, Ronald Wambugu had applied for the release of the foreigners arguing that they were fleeing persecution in Ethiopia adding they were in Kenya to seek refuge from the United Nation’s High Commission for Refugee (UNHCR).

From the 19 Eritreans, only one could speak broken English and due to lack of a translator, they could not be released on bond.

Mr Mungai, while he agreed with prosecution for remanding of the foreigners at Isiolo GK set the hearing date for March 27.

Meanwhile, four Egyptians appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Anderson Ngige for being in the country illegally and working without work permit in Nanyuki, also in an Isiolo court.

The nationals from the North African nation were arrested at Sportsman Arms Hotel in Nanyuki town while selling kitchen utensils a week after the terror attack14 Riverside Drive and DusitD2 Hotel in Nairobi where 21 people were killed.

ATPU based in Isiolo that monitors terrorism activities in lower and upper Eastern, Laikipia and Samburu arrested the Egyptians after the British army that frequents the hotel alerted the police.

But the anti-terror unit dropped the first charge of alleged terrorist activity.

A woman, where they stayed for a while was released but her husband was given a Sh 200,000 bond. The Egyptians were denied bond and detained at Isiolo GK Prison.

The hearing has been set for March 5.