Seven Ethiopian nationals who were busted hiding inside a mobile money transfer booth within Kiamaiko in Nairobi have been detained for five days.
Makadara Chief Magistrate Heston Nyaga allowed detectives to hold the suspects following an application for more time to complete investigations.
The investigating officer Patrick Mathenge stated in an affidavit that on May 29, they were tipped that some foreign nationals had locked up themselves at an Mpesa shop within kiamaiko area.
The Mpesa shop tenant who is the main suspect escaped during the arrest.
He stated that five of the suspects were found to be in possession of passports while the two did not have any identification.
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In a sworn affidavit, the officer said that three passport and mobile phones whose ownership was not claimed were recovered.
The mobile phones are to be taken to Cyber Crime Unit for forensic examination and the passport to be forwarded to Ethiopian Embassy and Immigration department for verification.
“We intend to use the suspects as state prosecution witnesses as their evidence is very crucial. The suspects are believed to have been sneaked into the country with a promise to be offered jobs”, Stated the officer.
He added, “If they are released, they might be trafficked again and tracing might be impossible, we”
The court ordered that the suspects be held at Muthaiga police station until June 5.
