A Makadara court has sentenced James Zengo to pay a Ksh30 million fine or in default serve 30 years imprisonment for trafficking two minors from Tanzania to Kenya in 2016 for purposes of economic exploitation.
Court heard that the minors were found harboured in Kariobangi North Estate and that Zengo had willfully resisted arrest.
“Prosecution’s Christine Achieng and Nathif Ishmael Jama proved the case after presenting 10 witnesses before Hon. Agnes Mwangi (PM),” Office of Directorate of Criminal Prosecutions (ODPP) said in a statement.
Zengo was at the centre of a BBC Africa Eye investigation in June 2022.
A BBC undercover investigation exposed a human trafficking network smuggling disabled children from Tanzania to Kenya.
Many were taken from their parents with the promise of a better life. Instead, the children were forced to beg on the streets – often for years – while their captors took all of the profits.
Some of the victims alleged they were beaten if they did not make enough money.
Zengo was arrested and has now been convicted by a court in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.
“I have also noted that you are disabled. Prison might not be a good environment for you.
“This is your first offence so I have given you the minimum sentence to pay Ksh30,000,000. If you don’t have that you will be jailed for 30 years in prison,” said magistrate Agnes Wahito.
