•Diplomatic Efforts Intensify as 64 Kenyans Await Safe Passage at Thai-Myanmar Border
The Kenyan government has intensified efforts to repatriate 64 of its citizens stranded at the Thai-Myanmar border after falling victim to an international human trafficking and cyber scam syndicate.
The group is among over 7,000 foreigners, including individuals from South America and more than 30 other nationalities, who were recently rescued by Myanmar-based armed groups—the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the Border Guard Force (BDF).
Following their rescue, the victims have been awaiting clearance to cross into Thailand, from where they will be repatriated to their respective home countries.
However, diplomatic challenges have delayed the process, as the Thai government has yet to reopen its border crossing on humanitarian grounds.
The Kenyan government, through its embassy in Bangkok, is actively engaging with Thai authorities to facilitate safe passage for its nationals.
Government’s Response and Diplomatic Engagements
A statement from Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs confirmed that diplomatic negotiations with Thai officials are ongoing to secure clearance for the group.
The ministry revealed that since February 12, 2025, when the first batch of 260 rescued foreigners—including 23 Kenyans—was handed over to the Royal Thai Army, the border has remained closed, stalling the movement of those still stranded.
“The Kenyan Ambassador in Thailand has remained in daily contact with the affected citizens, providing updates on government efforts to bring them home safely,” read part of the statement.
To ensure their return, Kenya is also exploring alternative evacuation routes should negotiations with Thailand fail to yield immediate results.
In the meantime, logistical arrangements have been finalized by a multi-agency team led by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, working in collaboration with the Kenyan Embassy in Bangkok and HAART Kenya, a local anti-human trafficking organization.
Dire Conditions in Makeshift Military Camps
The rescued Kenyans, alongside thousands of other victims, remain in dire conditions in makeshift military camps in Myanmar’s Karen State.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has raised concerns over their lack of access to basic necessities, including medical care, clean water, electricity, and proper sanitation facilities.
These humanitarian concerns have heightened the urgency of the repatriation process.
A Pattern of Rescue Operations and Government Commitment
This is not the first time Kenya has had to intervene in rescuing its nationals from dangerous situations abroad.
In recent years, the government has conducted similar repatriation efforts from conflict zones and exploitative environments in Libya, South Sudan, Lebanon, Israel, and Myanmar, among others.
These interventions align with the government’s constitutional duty to protect its citizens and uphold their rights, regardless of their location.
In light of the growing cases of human trafficking and fraudulent overseas job offers, the government has urged Kenyans to exercise caution when seeking employment abroad.
Citizens have been advised to verify job opportunities through the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and to engage only with private recruitment agencies registered and licensed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
The ministry has also provided an official list of approved recruitment agencies on its website for reference.
The Human Trafficking Crisis: A Global Challenge
The over 7,000 victims currently stranded at the Thai-Myanmar border were lured into Myanmar by fraudulent job offers, a pattern that has become increasingly prevalent in Southeast Asia.
Many were recruited under the guise of well-paying tech and customer service jobs, only to find themselves coerced into participating in online fraud operations run by organized crime syndicates.
Reports indicate that those who resisted were subjected to violence, forced labor, and inhumane living conditions.
The repatriation of the stranded Kenyans is now a race against time, with the government under pressure to ensure their safe return.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the case has once again highlighted the urgent need for stronger global cooperation in combating human trafficking and online job fraud syndicates.
For the stranded Kenyans, the hope remains that diplomatic breakthroughs will soon pave the way for their journey home.
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