Authorities in West Pokot are investigating a suspected case of human trafficking after 108 Eritrean nationals, including 13 children, were found abandoned at Lokitonyala area near the Kenya-Uganda border on Saturday July 5, 2025.

The group, which includes women, men and minors, is currently being held at Alale Police Station under tight security.

Plans are underway to transport them to Kapenguria Police Station for further interrogation and processing.

Confirming the incident, Alale Assistant County Commissioner Maurice Ogweno said the Eritreans were allegedly transported from Uganda and dumped at the border by unknown individuals using two buses.

“We have 108 Eritrean nationals, including 13 minors. They were dropped off at Lokitonyala from Uganda on Saturday evening,” Ogweno said.

“We are now working with immigration officials and security agencies to understand the circumstances that led to their arrival.”

According to initial investigations, the group revealed they had fled Eritrea into Ethiopia, where they were approached by an individual who promised to help them travel to Nairobi via West Pokot County.

“They said a person in Ethiopia misled them with promises of jobs and safe passage to Nairobi. However, after reaching Uganda, they were intercepted and then transported in two buses and abandoned at the Kenya border,” Ogweno added.

Authorities suspect that the migrants may be victims of a human trafficking syndicate operating across the Horn of Africa.

“They claimed they were seeking asylum and had been misinformed about employment opportunities,” Ogweno said.

“We are also questioning how and why Ugandan authorities allowed or facilitated their transportation and dumping at our side of the border.”

The Kenyan government has launched investigations into the matter, including possible collaboration with Ugandan authorities and international migration agencies to determine the legality of the migrants’ movement and ensure their protection.