Kenyan teenagers rescued from suspected US trafficking ring as businessman and drivers arrested.
Detectives from the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit (AHTCPU) have launched investigations into a suspected human trafficking syndicate after two 14-year-old teenagers were rescued while allegedly being smuggled out of Kenya to the United States under the false promise of a better life.
In a sworn affidavit presented to the court, investigating officer Julia Busienei stated that the case falls under human trafficking offences contrary to Section 3(3) as read with Section 3(5) of the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act, 2010.
On the evening of September 20, 2025, at approximately 9pm in the Pangani area of Nairobi, members of the public raised concerns about two minors suspected to be victims of trafficking. Acting on intelligence, detectives intercepted a taxi driven by Noah Nyongesa Wandera, who was found transporting the two teenagers.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the minors were allegedly en route to the United States, described by investigators as a land they believed to be “flowing with milk and honey.”
According to police, the two teenagers were to be handed over to Ernest Lagat at the Shell Petrol Station in Westlands, where he was waiting to transport them to Busia. Lagat, reportedly a matatu driver, is believed to be associated with the alleged mastermind Linus Omieno Omieno, also known as Tabulei.
Detectives swiftly moved in and arrested Lagat, who was found waiting at the designated meeting point. He was detained at Pangani Police Station, while Wandera was booked at Ruaraka Police Station. Both vehicles involved were impounded for further examination.
The rescued teenagers were placed in safe custody. Their mobile phones, along with those of the suspects, were seized and submitted for forensic analysis.
On September 22, both suspects were arraigned at Makadara Law Courts, where Officer Busienei, attached to the AHTCPU, successfully applied for ten days to continue investigations.
During interrogation, Lagat reportedly confessed to being a driver for Rift Shuttle, a vehicle owned by Tabulei. He admitted that his employer instructed him to pick up two individuals from Wandera, whose contact details had been shared with him. He was to transport the teenagers to Nambale, in Busia County.
Four days later, detectives arrested Tabulei in Busia. His mobile phone, which contained three SIM cards registered under different names, was confiscated for further forensic analysis, particularly focusing on M-Pesa transactions conducted between July 1 and September 20, 2025.
Investigators now believe Tabulei could be part of a wider trafficking syndicate responsible for ferrying victims from Nairobi to Busia. Officer Busienei told the court that several aspects of the investigation remain incomplete. The court granted investigators 14 days to complete the inquiry.
