BY SHABAN OMAR
Police in the Kinango area have arrested 54 foreign nationals who were found in Gulanze village, Kwale County early this morning.
The foreign nationals were believed to be ferried on a box body vehicle to Tanzania via the Kwale route.
The arrest comes amid the surging cases of foreign nationals being trafficked in the region.
Confirming the incident Kinango Sub-County Police Commander Jane Munywoki said three out of the 54 had already died.
“At around 7:00 PM, we received information from residents that a lorry had dropped off individuals suspected to be foreign nationals, and we moved swiftly. Unfortunately, three had passed away,” she said.
According to Munywoki, the aliens had traveled in the vehicle for days without food and were weak due to suffocation and hunger.
She said the driver of the vehicle managed to escape along with the lorry, while the police, in collaboration with residents, assisted the individuals who had been cramped inside the vehicle.
Munywoki said the majority of the arrested individuals were rushed to the hospital because they were in a very critical condition.
The officer said that a manhunt has been launched to track down the driver of the vehicle.
She added that further investigations have been launched.
Munywoki said that victims are expected to be taken to court once investigations are complete.
“We are looking for an interpreter because there is a language barrier; they will help in obtaining more information,” she said.