A man has been charged with trafficking 108 Ethiopian nationals who were rescued the previous week in Kiambu County.

Husuman Moche was arraigned on Monday at Kahawa Law Court before Chief Magistrate Diana Mochache.

Moche was charged with two counts of harbouring 61 Ethiopian nationals for exploitation by deception and trafficking 47 minors.

He was charged alongside three other individuals with whom he was arrested from Mugumo Estate.

However, Moche denied both charges and Mochache directed that he be detained at Muthaiga Police Station following the prosecution’s denial for bail.

According to Mochache’s ruling, the matter in urgent and delicate therefore set the hearing of the matter for Thursday and Friday.

“This is an urgent and delicate matter. We have 47 minors in safe custody in line with Section 53 of the Constitution. It is in the best interest of a child, whether the child is a victim or in conflict with the law, that this matter be heard on March 3 and 4 consecutively,” Mochache said.

Investigations revealed 

Preliminary investigations indicated the Ethiopian nationals were en route to South Africa.