Kenyan Migrants Ignore Risks, Fall into Myanmar's 'Slave Trade' Trap

Kenyan citizens continue to fall prey to human trafficking schemes in South Asian countries, despite repeated warnings from authorities.

The Kenyan Embassy in Thailand recently issued a warning of the dangers following the death of a stranded Kenyan in a hospital. This latest incident confirms a persistent problem that has seen dozens of Kenyans and other East African nationals lured by false promises of employment, particularly as English-language educators. The situation has escalated to the point where traffickers are now utilizing other Kenyans to recruit their compatriots under pretences. In a recent operation, the Kenyan Embassy, which also provides consular services for other East African countries in the region, collaborated with local authorities to rescue approximately 140 Kenyans and East Africans.

This rescue operation highlights the ongoing nature of the issue which has persisted despite warnings issued since 2022. The journey to Myanmar, a common destination for trafficking victims, is particularly treacherous. With no direct commercial flights from Kenya, individuals typically fly to Thailand before attempting to enter Myanmar through irregular routes, often involving perilous boat rides across border rivers. Myanmar, along with Laos and Cambodia, is classified as a Tier 3 country in the US State Department's Trafficking in Persons Report 2023, indicating minimal efforts by authorities to combat human trafficking. The problem has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the political instability following the Myanmar junta's rise to power two years ago.

Traffickers, some operating from as far as China, have exploited these circumstances to recruit victims from various countries around the world. Their tactics often involve building rapport with potential victims through online platforms, promising lucrative employment opportunities, and providing fake documentation to facilitate travel. The issue extends beyond Kenya, affecting numerous countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. In August 2022, the Kenyan government in cooperation with Thai and Laotian authorities, the International Organization for Migration, and HAART Kenya, successfully repatriated 75 trafficking victims, including individuals from Uganda and Burundi. However, authorities estimate that many more victims remain trapped, with at least 30 distress calls awaiting rescue at that time.

Reports indicate that the situation has become increasingly dire with some victims being forced into cyber-crime activities, prostitution, and even organ harvesting. In one particularly harrowing account, two Kenyan women described being lured to Thailand with promises of customer service jobs, only to be taken to Laos and coerced into participating in cyber-crime operations under threats of sex work or organ harvesting. The Kenyan Embassy in Bangkok has expressed growing concern and frustration over the persistent nature of this issue. Despite their efforts to warn citizens about the risks, Kenyans continue to fall victim to these trafficking schemes. The Embassy has emphasized the dangers involved in rescue operations, particularly due to the ongoing civil unrest and the presence of criminal networks in the region.

Furthermore, the Embassy has noted a disturbing trend where some trafficked Kenyans have themselves become agents for criminal cartels, perpetuating the cycle of exploitation. Victims often find themselves in dire straits after paying substantial fees for fraudulent visas, only to discover that the promised employment opportunities do not exist. This leaves them stranded and vulnerable to further exploitation in unfamiliar and dangerous environments.