The Kenya Police Service (KPS) has intensified its crackdown on human smuggling, leading to the arrest of 25 foreign nationals during a targeted security operation in parts of Kisumu County.
According to the police, officers from Kasagam Police Station conducted the operation in the Nyamasaria, Kassawino and Mowlem areas as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle human smuggling networks operating within the region.
The suspects were found to be in Kenya without valid immigration documents or permits, prompting their arrest.
25 Undocumented Foreign Nationals Arrested in Kisumu Operation. Photo: Courtesy
Police noted that the operation forms part of broader security measures aimed at addressing illegal migration and enhancing public safety.
Among those arrested were 12 Ugandan nationals, four Burundians, three Congolese, three Rwandans, two Tanzanians and one Egyptian, highlighting the cross-border nature of the suspected human smuggling activities under investigation.
The suspects are expected to be arraigned in court as investigations continue to establish how they entered the country, whether they were being facilitated by organised criminal networks and whether additional suspects remain at large.
Police have not disclosed whether any suspected human smugglers or facilitators were arrested during the operation but indicated that investigations are ongoing to identify those behind the alleged network.
Human smuggling involves facilitating the illegal movement of people across international borders, often in exchange for money or other benefits.
Police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities involving the movement or harbouring of undocumented persons.
They noted that public cooperation remains critical in combating transnational crimes and maintaining national security.
The latest operation underscores the government’s renewed focus on strengthening border security and enforcing immigration regulations as part of wider efforts to combat organised crime and protect public safety across the country.
