The Kenyan government has once again urged its citizens to avoid travelling to Myanmar, a country facing prolonged conflict, where criminal activities such as slavery and trafficking are on the rise.
This latest warning follows reports of fake job advertisements targeting Kenyans, luring them into dangerous situations in the South Asian country.
Kenya’s Ambassador to Thailand, Kiptiness Lindsay Kimwole, advised Kenyans not to apply for jobs in Myanmar, stressing that the embassy had received multiple reports of abductions, forced labour, and torture.
Despite previous warnings, many Kenyans continue to travel to Myanmar in search of employment, only to find themselves trapped in scam operations run by criminal cartels.
In a statement dated October 12, 2024, Ambassador Kimwole revealed that at least 10 Kenyans are currently being held by traffickers in Myanmar, with their captors demanding up to $12,000 (Sh1.5 million) per person in ransom, claiming they had “bought” the individuals as slaves.
Efforts to rescue these individuals have been challenging, as the cartels maintain tight control, often selling victims within an underground slavery market.
“The Kenya embassy in Thailand, for the umpteenth time, is warning Kenyans against travelling to Myanmar. The warning comes as dozens of young Kenyans call out for help from Myanmar’s notorious scam compounds, while others continue to stream in, and literally becoming slaves of Chinese criminal cartels,” the statement partly read.
The embassy has been collaborating with various organisations, including NGOs and the United Nations, to negotiate the release of those held captive.
Recent reports indicate that the situation has worsened, with traffickers enlisting other Kenyans to deceive their compatriots into joining fraudulent job schemes, particularly through social media platforms.
These schemes often promise jobs in Thailand but secretly funnel victims into Myanmar, where they are forced to work in illegal operations such as cryptocurrency scams.
The Kenyan government, through its Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, has been working to rescue and repatriate those caught in these trafficking networks. Since 2022, over 140 individuals from Kenya and other African nations have been rescued from Myanmar and Laos.
Despite these efforts, the problem persists, with some victims choosing to remain part of the trafficking rings rather than be rescued.
The Kenyan embassy has reiterated the importance of verifying job offers through official channels to avoid falling prey to traffickers.
Roseline Njogu, Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, warned Kenyans to be cautious when applying for jobs abroad, particularly in countries like Thailand, Australia, and Poland, where traffickers often operate.
“We frequently see job advertisements on social media claiming to offer positions in customer care, translation, and IT in Thailand. However, the Kenyan embassy has repeatedly warned that these jobs are fake, created by traffickers.
“Kenyans must prioritise their security by seeking accurate information. If you have questions about job offers in Thailand, Australia or Poland, our embassy can help verify their legitimacy. We have a dedicated department for this purpose. Please reach out to us before risking your safety,” she had stated.