Parents and guardians in Garissa have been urged to monitor their children amid drastic rise in human trafficking.
During a public baraza, Bura Mzuri senior chief Abdirahman Yussuf stressed the importance of ensuring children’s safety.
Students in Garissa Township’s junior and senior secondary schools are the target of the seemingly well-organised human traffickers, who are a part of a network operating between Kenya and Libya.
According to reports, the traffickers entice victims by promising to place them in lucrative jobs in South Sudan, Libya, and Juba.
Parents are in a panic over the incidents and are pleading with security agencies to step up surveillance and apprehend those responsible.
“As you are aware, we have recently heard reports of our youths and young children falling victim to a human trafficking cartel," he said.
“Parents may not realise their children are missing until it is too late and they have already been taken,."
“I therefore implore each and every one of you to stay vigilant, knowledgeable, and conscious of our surroundings and to report any suspicious characters in our midst,” he continued.
The administrator called for greater cooperation and said his office would continue to work closely with the Nyumba Kumi elders and locals to ensure such incidents do not occur.
Last week, Samuel Boit, the sub-county police commander for Garissa, said police are still investigating the cases.
He implored parents and guardians to be on the lookout and advise children not to interact with strangers in person or on social media.
Additionally, parents have been advised against letting their children swim or try to cross moving streams because of the potential for mishaps.
The administrator also urged vigilance, particularly at night when flood hazards are more difficult to identify.
“As we all know, we are currently
in the rainy season, which brings
with it a slew of challenges.
Let us all avoid areas that are already flooded, especially if the water
is moving quickly. Do not try to cross
flowing streams.”
