NAIROBI, Kenya — The final batch of 78 Kenyans trapped in scam syndicates in Myanmar has finally touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), bringing to a close a harrowing chapter of human trafficking, deception, and survival in Southeast Asia.
Early Saturday morning, 47 of the returnees landed in Nairobi, followed by 31 more hours later aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight via Addis Ababa.
They were received by Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu, who has been at the center of repatriation efforts coordinated by the Kenyan Embassy in Thailand and international humanitarian partners
The second batch of 78 Kenyans repatriated from Myanmar arrives at JKIAVideo by James Wanzala
These Kenyans were among hundreds lured by what seemed like promising job opportunities in Myanmar — only to be forced into online scam compounds and subjected to abuse when they failed to meet criminal quotas.
According to PS Njogu, all 78 will be debriefed and required to record statements with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to aid in tracking the human trafficking networks responsible for their ordeal.
From “Dream Job” to Digital Slavery
What began with shiny job ads and recruitment promises quickly turned into a nightmare. Returnees speaking to Citizen TV revealed tales of brutality and coercion: physical beatings, long hours of forced labor, and the emotional trauma of being used as tools for global cyber scams.
The incident is part of a larger pattern. Just two weeks ago, 48 more Kenyans were rescued at the border between Thailand and Myanmar, suggesting a widespread trafficking racket targeting unsuspecting job seekers from Africa.
And it’s not just Myanmar — authorities warn that fake job recruiters are now leveraging platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook to lure desperate Kenyans into similarly exploitative arrangements across Asia.
Second batch of 78 Kenyans rescued from Myanmar arrive in Nairobi; to receive psychological support after repatriation from ‘hellish’ job scams. standardmedia.co.ke
Government’s Warning: Don’t Get Duped
As a stern warning to others, PS Njogu reiterated the government’s position in a viral X (formerly Twitter) post dated January 24, 2025: “There are no jobs in Thailand, India or Malaysia. These countries also have unemployment challenges. If someone is recruiting you for a job in any of these places, you’re likely to be a victim of trafficking. Run! And report them to us.”
The government has since stepped up its advisory, urging job seekers to obtain valid work permits and confirm the legitimacy of opportunities through the Diaspora Affairs office before committing to overseas employment.
The safe return of these 78 Kenyans may mark the end of their physical captivity, but their emotional and psychological healing is just beginning.
It also throws a spotlight on the growing threat of modern-day slavery disguised as digital gigs — a warning to tread carefully when opportunity knocks from overseas.
