Authorities Confront Drug Trafficking, Job Scams, and Assaults on Police - January 2026

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen announced plans to deploy additional officers to combat drug trafficking on Kenya’s lakes, noting that the Kenya Coast Guard Service faces challenges with increased smuggling via Lake Victoria and Lake Turkana. In a separate action, DCI detectives arrested a couple on January 21 in connection with a KSh 20 million job recruitment scam targeting Kenyans. This comes as reports indicate tens of Kenyan nationals are in hiding in Cambodia after escaping forced labor camps where they were lured by fraudulent job schemes. Additionally, on January 21 in West Pokot County, three police officers were injured when a man attacked them with a knife while resisting arrest.

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Kenyans in Hiding in Cambodia After Escaping Trafficking Camps

Tens of Kenyan nationals are currently in hiding in Cambodia after escaping forced labor and exploitation camps, facing threats of re-trafficking and arrest. These individuals traveled to Southeast Asia seeking employment but were lured into fraudulent job schemes.