NAIROBI, Kenya – Nov 22 – Authorities in Lodwar have detained 10 Eritreans suspected of entering the country illegally.
Police said the group include of four adults, aged between 18 and 52 years, along with six minors.
The arrest followed a tip-off from a vigilant member of the public who alerted the authorities to the presence of suspicious individuals in the area.
“It was reported by a member of the public from Merian Kawalase village that at around 0100 hrs they found suspected foreigners who were stranded at their village,” a police officer said.
The detainees were subsequently escorted to Lodwar police station and are currently held in lawful custody pending their arraignment.
Authorities have confirmed that the suspects will face charges related to their unlawful presence in the country.
This incident comes in the wake of a similar arrest over two months ago when 26 Ethiopian nationals, all women, were taken into custody for unauthorized entry into Kenya.
The September 5 operation, which led to the arrest of the Ethiopian nationals, was a joint effort by a multi-agency team comprising members from the National Police Service, the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit (CIPU), and National Government Administration Officers, led by Murang’a County Police Commander David Mathiu.
According to a police report, the suspects were found in an incomplete house owned by a local resident identified as Philip Kamwaro Munyua. The detainees, who faced language barriers, were unable to explain their motives and destinations.
Detectives have determined that the ages of the Ethiopian detainees range from 22 to 32 years old.
Both incidents highlight the ongoing efforts of Kenyan authorities to address issues related to unauthorized entry and unlawful presence in the country, as they work to maintain border security and enforce immigration laws.
