Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have dismantled a suspected family-run online sexual exploitation network in Nairobi, arresting three people and rescuing five women who had allegedly been confined and coerced into producing explicit content for commercial gain.
Officers from the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) conducted the operation in Mihang’o, Embakasi East Constituency, after acting on intelligence. The women were found confined in two bedrooms inside a residential house in the area.
Preliminary investigations indicate the victims had been lured with promises of well-paying jobs before being forced to produce online sexual content for commercial exploitation.
“The victims were lured with promises of lucrative employment opportunities but were instead forced to produce online sexual content for commercial exploitation,” the DCI said in a statement.
Detectives identified the suspects as a family unit: Morine Imbaali, 43, the owner of the premises and prime suspect; her daughter, Barbara Okoyo, 24, suspected of recruiting the victims; and Okoyo’s husband, Alfred Okelo, 30, believed to have maintained the computer systems used in the operation.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of several items suspected to have facilitated the exploitation, which were documented as exhibits for investigation.
The three suspects were taken to Kasarani Police Station, where they remain in custody pending processing and arraignment. They are expected to face charges of trafficking in persons under Section 3(1)(d), read together with Section 3(5), of the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act, 2010, alongside other related offences.
The DCI said arrangements were underway to move the five rescued women to a safe shelter, where they will receive psychosocial counselling, medical care and other support services to aid their recovery and reintegration.
The agency cautioned job seekers to exercise vigilance when responding to employment offers, especially from unverified recruiters, warning that criminal networks continue to exploit vulnerable individuals through false promises of lucrative jobs.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations cautions job seekers to exercise vigilance when responding to employment offers, particularly those from unverified recruiters,” the DCI stated.
Investigations are continuing to establish whether more victims were exploited through the network and whether the suspects had links to other trafficking syndicates operating locally or internationally. Members of the public with information on trafficking-related crimes can report confidentially through the #FichuaKwaDCI toll-free line, 0800 722 203, or via WhatsApp on 0709 570 000.
