600 Kenyans Stranded in Cambodia Sue Government Over Delayed Rescue
More than 600 Kenyan nationals stranded in Cambodia have filed a petition in the High Court in Nairobi, demanding urgent government action to facilitate their rescue and repatriation by 28 February.
The petition, submitted under a certificate of urgency, details allegations of human trafficking and forced labour. The petitioners claim that they were initially recruited under the false promise of legitimate employment in countries such as Thailand, only to be diverted to Cambodia, where they were handed over to trafficking networks.
Court documents describe the victims as being confined in heavily guarded compounds, surrounded by barbed wire and controlled by armed foreign nationals. They allege that their passports and phones were seized, leaving them without identification or means of communication.
The group also reports being subjected to exploitative working conditions, with shifts lasting up to 16 hours, alongside extreme pressure to meet performance targets. One affidavit describes instances of harassment, electrocution, and threats of violence. After a police raid, traffickers abandoned the victims, who are now residing in shelters without food, income, or stable accommodation.
The lawsuit names several government bodies, including the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, and the Attorney General. The petitioners, represented by lawyer Danstan Omari, are seeking orders compelling the state to verify their identities, confirm their locations, and ensure their safe return. They have also requested a status report within 24 hours outlining the actions taken to safeguard them.
