Three foreigners and a Kenyan national have been charged with trafficking five Indians and three Nepalese nationals(all female) into Kenya.
Vikrant Thapa (Indian), Bir Bahadur Magar (Indian) Subhankar Ghosh (Nepalese), and Stansloues Shikondi (Kenyan) are accused that on diverse dates between 18th May and 9th August 2018 at Parklands Estate in Westlands sub-county, Nairobi, trafficked the 8 females for the purpose of exploitation by means of deception.
In a second count, the court heard that Thapa trafficked by harboring the girls for purposes of exploitation by use of threats and force.
He is alleged to have committed the offense on 10th August 2018 at City Park (villa house) in Westlands jointly with others not before court.
Thapa was further charged with fraudulent acquisition of travel documents.
The court heard that on 21st July 2018, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, knowingly misrepresented facts of invitation letter for purposes of facilitating the acquisition of a Kenyan visa in order to assist in trafficking in persons of two Indian Nationals.
Further, Thapa and Shikondi were charged with interfering with travel document by confiscating the passports of the said girls.
The two are accused of committing the offense on diverse dates between 18th May and 9th August at Plums Club (Maya bar and restaurant) in Westlands.
In another count, Thapa and Magar were charged with promoting trafficking by collecting payments given to services rendered by the girls who are victims of human trafficking.
Magar and Ghosh were also charged with an offense of engaging in employment without a work permit as a cashier and Disc Jockey (DJ) respectively at Maya Bar and restaurant.
Lastly, Thapa was charged with being unlawfully present in Kenya. The court heard that being a Nepalese National, the accused was found to be unlawfully present in Kenya in that he did not have valid documents from the Immigration Department.
The four denied the charges before Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi.
Bond objection
The prosecution objected to the release of the accused persons on bond on grounds that they are at flight risk and may interfere with witnesses.
In an affidavit sworn by the investigating officer, it is alleged that the accused persons had used violence and threats against the victims prior to their arrests in an attempt to frustrate investigations.
It is alleged that Thapa is suspected to be a member of a wide human trafficking and smuggling cartel operating within Kenya and having links outside the country.
Similar incident
This comes just days after two other Indian nationals who run Balle Balle club in Parklands were charged with human trafficking.
Shaikh Furqan Hussain and Abdul Waheed Khan co-propriator and operator respectively are alleged to have trafficked the victims to work at the club.
The magistrate directed that the matter be mentioned on 14th for bond argument.
