The Kenyan ambassador to Thailand, Kiptiness Lindsay Kimwole
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A group of 129 Kenyan nationals rescued from forced labour camps in Myanmar now find themselves stranded near the Thai border amidst complex diplomatic and security challenges.
Lured to Myanmar with false promises of employment, the Kenyans were instead coerced by criminal syndicates into online fraud, identity theft, and phishing schemes. Kenya's Ambassador to Thailand, Kiptiness Lindsay Kimwole, speaking with Citizen TV, has detailed the challenges facing the stranded citizens.
Thai authorities currently permit only 300 foreigners to cross the border daily. Prioritization policies favour Chinese nationals on Wednesdays through Fridays, leaving Mondays and Tuesdays as the only available days for other nationalities, including Kenyans. Further complicating matters, the Myanmar government's approval is required for the Kenyans to cross into Thailand.
The situation is also affected by the presence of two armed groups: the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the Border Guard Force (BGF), both actively engaged in conflict with the Myanmar military. While the BGF has expressed willingness to transfer the Kenyans to Myanmar government control, the DKBA prefers direct handover to Thailand.
Thai authorities are currently hesitant to accept this proposition despite a previous instance of accepting individuals from the DKBA on February 12th. Currently, 47 Kenyans are under DKBA control, and 82 are with the BGF.
This predicament highlights the pervasive issues of human trafficking and exploitation prevalent in regions grappling with conflict and political instability. While the Kenyan government is actively working to secure the return of its citizens, they face significant diplomatic and logistical hurdles.