NAIROBI, Kenya — Detectives are hunting an Assistant Director of Immigration Services who is wanted over human trafficking to Myanmar after failing to appear in court for plea taking in a case involving the trafficking of two victims.
John Pario was arrested on April 2, 2025, following investigations into the human trafficking officer case, where he allegedly facilitated the departure of two victims to Myanmar while stationed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
He is said to have cleared their travel despite prior knowledge that they had been denied entry into Thailand under similar circumstances.
Forensic analysis revealed sustained communication between Pario and a co-suspect, demonstrating coordinated planning in the human trafficking officer scheme.
The suspect allegedly received the victims’ photographs and travel documents to aid identification and clearance, and later attempted to help them evade scrutiny upon return.
Human Trafficking Officer Financial Links
Investigations established financial transactions linked to the facilitation, while victim statements confirm they were referred to Pario through the trafficking network. The human trafficking officer case exposes corruption at Kenya’s main international gateway.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions approved charges against the human trafficking officer, who was released on cash bail of Sh50,000.
He was enjoined as the third accused in a criminal case before Kahawa Law Courts, facing charges of facilitating the exit of persons from the country contrary to Section 7 of the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act No. 8 of 2010.
Human Trafficking Officer Manhunt
On March 24, 2026, Pario was processed at DCI Headquarters and directed to appear in court on March 25, 2026. Plea taking was deferred to April 1, 2026, but the human trafficking officer failed to attend, prompting the court to forfeit his cash bail and issue a warrant of arrest.
He is now a wanted person, with efforts to trace and apprehend him ongoing.
Members of the public with information on his whereabouts are urged to report to the nearest police station or contact DCI through 0800 722 203 or WhatsApp 0709 570 000.
The human trafficking officer case raises governance questions about vetting and supervision of immigration personnel at critical border points.
The Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act imposes severe penalties for facilitation, testing whether enforcement can dismantle networks exploiting vulnerable Kenyans.
