Sixteen Ethiopian nationals and eleven Eritrean nationals were charged with being in the country illegally.
The illegal immigrants, who were arrested at Miriki village in Igembe North at Mwenda Ntongai’s residence, were presented at the Maua Law Courts on April 28.
The Eritrean immigrants told Maua Resident Magistrate Carol. K. Obera that they were fleeing clashes in their country for fear of their lives. The Ethiopian immigrants said they had come to the country to look for work.
“The crime they committed is extremely serious, particularly in Maua. We have received numerous similar cases with Kangeta prison being overcrowded with illegal immigrants,” Maua Resident Magistrate Carol. K. Obera said.
“Some filed appeals with the Supreme Court, but they were denied, the reason being a repetition of cases and they were required to serve a sentence under the law. It appears that the sentences are not working for those who will continue to use the Panya routes to enter illegally into the country,” she added.
“If they must work, they must do so legally. The court has observed that foreigners are brought to court without those who accommodate them and bring them into the country,” she said.
“I’d like to meet the individuals who brought them into the country and accomodated. Everyone will be fined Ksh 100,000 or imprisoned for 6 months,” The magistrate concluded.
The magistrate stated that she will investigate further the claims made by the Eritrean immigrants by contacting the refugee offices.
