Kenyan, Indian detained 5 days over human trafficking

Kenyan Patroba Odhiambo Tobia and Indian Patel Ketulkumar Govindbhai at the Milimani Law Courts on February 21, 2019, on allegations of being part of a human trafficking syndicate. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

A Kenyan and an Indian who are suspected to be part of a human trafficking syndicate will be held five days for police to complete their probe.

The government had asked for 15 days to detain Indian Patel Ketulkumar Govindbhai and Kenyan Patroba Odhiambo Tobia but only this period was granted.

Through lawyer Abdul Agonga, the two told the court that the offence they were likely to be charged with was bailable and that a 15-day detention period was too long.

Mr Agonga said on Thursday that there was no compelling reason to deny his clients their freedom.

FORGERY

In an affidavit, immigration officer Gilbert Nawate said the two were arrested on February 20 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.

Mr Nawate said the two are believed to be part of a group that facilitates the movement of the people through the airport, with the syndicate counterfeiting the visas of several countries.

It is suspected that they are involved in the smuggling of people to various destinations using forged visas and passports.

Police confiscated the suspects' phones and other items for forensic examination.

Milimani Principal Magistrate Bernard Nzakyo said the case will be mentioned on February 26.