A multi-agency task force has uncovered a human trafficking syndicate exploiting refugees at the Dadaab camp in Garissa County and unsuspecting Kenyan youths. Investigations reveal the ring transports victims to Libya under the false promise of a better life, only to subject them to harsh conditions, including torture, forced labor, and organ harvesting in Libyan camps.
The traffickers, operating through social media and word of mouth, target vulnerable youths aged 15–24, often isolating them and turning them into recruitment agents. Victims are lured by the offer of fully-funded journeys to Europe, labeled “Tahrib,” but instead face exploitation and extortion.
Key trafficking routes span Kenya, South Sudan, Chad, and Libya, with traffickers using clandestine paths and avoiding detection by confiscating victims’ phones. Some victims die during transit due to starvation or diseases, while others are forced to join terror groups.
The syndicate, controlled by groups like “Magafe,” tortures victims and demands ransoms of Sh2–3 million from families via mobile money transfers. Investigators attribute the rise in trafficking to reduced humanitarian aid, unemployment, and desperation.
Officials urge youth to be cautious of such schemes and avoid secrecy when approached with promises of better opportunities. The syndicate has caused financial and emotional devastation for many families.
