By Reporter
Kilifi county security team has arrested a couple and rescued thirsty children from an alleged illegal rescue center in Baguo Village, Kakuyuni Ward Kilifi county.
The police arrested the couple after raiding the alleged illegal and unregistered children rescue centre.
The sting operation was led by Malindi Assistant County Commissioner Irene Munyoki and Malindi Sub-County Children’s Officer Sebastian Muteti.
Police says that the multi-agency team stormed the unregistered Ultimate Security Centre and shut it down before escorting the proprietors of the alleged fake rescue centre to the Malindi Police Station.
They took 18 boys and 12 girls to the Malindi Children’s Office before being taken to a registered children’s home in Sabaki Ward for temporary shelter as authorities work to reunite them with their families.
Munyoki said that officials had received a tip-off from members of the public who reported seeing numerous children entering and leaving a particular home.
“Upon raiding the premises, officers found the children living in a private house converted into makeshift boarding facilities without proper sanitary provisions,” she said.
Despite being in different grades, they were all learning in a single classroom.
Munyoki noted that the rescued children hailed from various parts of the country, including Siaya, Kisii, Magarini Sub-County in Kilifi County, and Eastern region among others.
Malindi Sub-County Children’s Officer Sebastian Muteti said that all 30 children were under eighteen years of age and that the rescue centre was not known to the government as it had not gone through the registration process.
“It is an illegal structure. They call themselves a rescue centre but they have no papers,” he said.
