Three suspects have been arrested in Nairobi in connection with an alleged online sexual exploitation syndicate after detectives rescued five women who were reportedly being held and forced to produce explicit content for commercial gain.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said detectives from the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) carried out the operation in Mihang'o, Embakasi East Constituency, following intelligence reports on the suspected criminal enterprise.
According to the DCI, the operation led to the rescue of five women who were found confined in two bedrooms inside a house in the area.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the victims had been lured with promises of well-paying jobs before allegedly being forced into producing online sexual content.
"Acting on actionable intelligence, the detectives rescued five women who were found confined in two bedrooms within a house in the area," the DCI said in a statement.
The agency said the victims had been deceived through false employment offers before being subjected to commercial exploitation.
"Preliminary investigations indicate that the victims were lured with promises of lucrative employment opportunities but were instead forced to produce online sexual content for commercial exploitation," the statement added.
Detectives also searched the premises and recovered items believed to have been used to facilitate the alleged exploitation. The recovered exhibits were documented as part of the investigation.
The DCI identified the three suspects as Morine Imbaali, 43, who is the owner of the premises and the principal suspect; Barbara Okoyo, 24, the daughter of the main suspect, who is believed to have recruited the victims; and Alfred Okelo, 30, Barbara's husband, who allegedly maintained the computer systems used in the operation.
The three were taken to Kasarani Police Station, where they remain in custody pending processing and arraignment in court.
According to investigators, the suspects are expected to face charges of trafficking in persons contrary to Section 3(1)(d), as read together with Section 3(5), of the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act, No. 8 of 2010, as well as other related offences.
Meanwhile, authorities said arrangements were underway to provide the rescued women with shelter and comprehensive support services as investigations continue.
The DCI said the victims would receive psychosocial counselling, medical care and other forms of assistance aimed at ensuring their safety, dignity and successful reintegration into society.
The agency also urged Kenyans, particularly job seekers, to remain vigilant when responding to employment offers, warning that criminal networks continue to exploit vulnerable individuals through fake recruitment schemes.
"The Directorate of Criminal Investigations cautions job seekers to exercise vigilance when responding to employment offers, particularly those from unverified recruiters, as criminal networks continue to exploit vulnerable individuals through false promises of lucrative jobs," the statement said.
The DCI appealed to members of the public to report suspected cases of human trafficking and other criminal activities through its confidential reporting channels.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the agency through the
#FichuaKwaDCI
toll-free line
0800 722 203
or via WhatsApp on
0709 570 000
.
The arrests come as authorities continue to intensify efforts to dismantle human trafficking and online exploitation networks targeting vulnerable people through deceptive employment offers.