MWE Correspondent
Kenya has successfully brought home 119 of its citizens who were stranded in Myanmar after being drawn into illegal online operations run by organised criminal groups, in an operation that highlights the growing dangers facing job seekers lured abroad by false promises.
The rescue was carried out through close cooperation between Kenyan and Myanmar authorities after investigations revealed the existence of illegal recruitment and registration centres in Karen State, near the Myanmar–Thailand border. These centres were allegedly being used by criminal networks involved in online fraud, where foreign nationals were forced to work in cyber scams under exploitative and often threatening conditions.
Security forces in Myanmar later raided the sites, arresting several suspects and dismantling facilities linked to the criminal operations. Officials said the crackdown also disrupted infrastructure used by the syndicates, though it temporarily heightened tensions in a region already affected by conflict between the government and armed rebel groups.
As the raids unfolded, nearly 200 Kenyan nationals sought safety at military camps in Myawaddy and Shwe Kokko, while about 100 others crossed into Thailand to escape the violence and uncertainty. Of the 126 Kenyans formally rescued, 119 have already been repatriated, with the remaining seven expected to return in the coming days.
Kenyan authorities have acknowledged that a significant number of citizens are still awaiting assistance. An estimated 198 Kenyans remain in the region, including 66 in Thailand and 129 still in Myanmar, while 86 others continue to receive protection at military camps. Many of those affected reportedly entered Thailand on tourist visas before being recruited or transported illegally for work, exposing them to exploitation and abuse.
Also Read; Government Emphasises Dialogue With Religious Leaders
Officials say the incident reflects a wider global problem of irregular labour migration, where criminal groups take advantage of economic pressures and unemployment to target desperate job seekers. Victims are often promised well-paying jobs, only to find themselves trapped in forced labour linked to cybercrime and other illicit activities. International organisations have repeatedly warned about the rise of such schemes, particularly in parts of Southeast Asia.
The Kenyan government has urged citizens to thoroughly verify overseas employment opportunities and to follow legal immigration and labour procedures. Authorities also reaffirmed their commitment to working with international partners to dismantle trafficking and fraud networks connected to human trafficking and transnational crime.
Experts say the operation underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation in tackling organised crime. Agencies such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime have identified cyber-enabled fraud and forced labour as growing global threats that require coordinated international responses.
As efforts continue to secure the return of those still stranded, the Kenyan government says counselling and reintegration support will be provided to returnees, many of whom endured psychological trauma and harsh living conditions. Investigations are also ongoing to determine whether recruitment agents at home played a role in sending citizens into illegal work abroad.
