Police rescue 11 minors from traffickers in Bomet

Saturday August 18, 2007
 Police rescue 11 minors from traffickers in Bomet

By Peter Mutai

On Wednesday, Parliament rejected the proposal to set aside 50 seats for women. This is a big blow to women who have fought long and hard for affirmative action.
The minors aged between eight months and six years were destined for 'ready markets' in the two districts.
Commenting on the scandal, Rift Valley PC Hassan Noor Hassan said eight suspects are at Bomet police station helping with investigation.
Hassan revealed that a child was being sold for between Sh20,000 and Sh30,000 depending on age. He sounded an alert to parents in Western Province to be on the look out.
The minors are being housed at a children's home in Mogogosiek and AIC Church in Bureti District.
A major crackdown has been launched in the expansive province. Wananchi have been asked to assist police with information.
At the same time, Hassan called on anyone who might have bought or is keeping children suspected to have been stolen to surrender them to the police immediately to avoid arrest.
"The law is clear on adoption. People should follow right channels of looking for children instead of fueling the illegal trade," he added.
The administrator appealed to parents from Western Province whose children have been reported missing to get in touch with police in Bomet and Trans Mara.
Cases of child trafficking hit headlines early last year. Police exposed a racket where babies were being smuggled out for export.
Wife a UK-based evangelist Gilbert Deya, Mary, who was accused of child trafficking, was arrested and charged. She was found guilty and sentenced to two years in jail alongside her two accomplices Miriam Nyeko, a British citizen, and Rose Kiserem.
Police had claimed Gilbert Deya Ministries was an international baby-snatching ring. Their request to have the preacher extradited to Kenya to answer charges failed.

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