The authorities in Kenya have rescued 21 Nepali girls, who were trafficked to the country for exploitation, from two strip clubs in an upmarket suburb of Nairobi
, Kenyan media reported citing detectives.
“Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit, and the Transnational Organized Crime Unit… raided two clubs in Mogotio Road, Westlands and rescued 21 Nepali girls who had been trafficked to Kenya for exploitation,” the DCI wrote on its verified Twitter account.
Images of the operation, carried out last night, showed three young women dressed in brightly colored blouses hiding their faces as they were escorted away.
Three local suspects were arrested on suspicion of trafficking and will be charged with related offenses, the DCI added. “Three perpetrators were arrested and will be charged for various offenses under the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act (Act No.8 of 2010),” said DCI in a statement issued on Friday.
The girls, whose ages were not confirmed by detectives, were transferred to a victims’ refuge after the police operation. They will remain there while officers verify their identities and determine if they are in Kenya legally.
“We are holding the 21 girls and three other local suspects. We are probing their links to international human trafficking rings and you will be updated of the progress,” AFP quoted a police source close to the investigation as saying.
