Nairobi police boss Japheth Koome told Capital News that police were tipped off by members of the public of their whereabouts/FILE
Nairobi police boss Japheth Koome told Capital News that police were tipped off by members of the public of their whereabouts.
“Out of that useful information, we were able to arrest those 54 illegal immigrants and they are now in custody,” he said.
“They are going to face the full force of the law…when we have such people in the country; we urge the public to inform us so that we are able to effect arrest. This is cooperation which is very encouraging.”
The aliens were removed from the three-bedroom house and taken to police custody ahead of their appearance in court on Thursday.
Police and immigration officials have decried increased cases of Ethiopian aliens in the country while on transit to either Tanzania or South Africa.
“They are a threat to our security…people should inform us for their safety and that of everybody else,” he said.
Cases of human smuggling have been on the rise in the region with hundreds of young men from Ethiopia finding their way into South Africa through Kenya in search of employment.
Police however say majority of them cannot speak in English, which often delays their prosecution in court.
The inflow of illegal immigrants in the country continues despite the numerous road blocks mounted in Moyale.
According to police, there are more than 20 road blocks along the route.
This year on February 24, police arrested 101 illegal Ethiopian immigrants at Tassia estate within Nairobi County.
READ: Kenya arrests 100 Ethiopian aliens en-route to SA
The Ethiopians were being harboured by three Kenyans who were also arrested.
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