Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested three women in connection with a suspected child-trafficking syndicate operating in Nairobi’s Eastlands informal settlements, specifically Dandora Phase 5.
The investigation centres on establishing the biological parents of four rescued minors aged between two weeks and two years.
The arrests on 15 March followed a report by 21-year-old Flavian Ademi, who alleged that 56-year-old Betty Akinyi Nyanya had stolen her newborn. Further scrutiny, however, revealed that Ademi’s report was entirely fabricated an act of revenge after a bitter payment dispute.
Ademi had paid Sh15,000 towards the purchase of the infant, with an agreement to pay a total of Sh30,000. When she was denied custody for failing to complete the payment, she reported the matter to police.
The trio; Nyanya (the alleged main seller), Sarah Adhiambo Oloo (the broker who linked buyers), and Ademi were arrested that day.
Officers first raided Nyanya’s premises in Dandora Phase 5, where three minors were rescued. Ademi then led police to Oloo’s house in Kariobangi South, where Oloo was arrested and a four-month-old baby girl, whom she had reportedly bought from Nyanya last year in November, was rescued.
Appearing in court, Oloo reversed her earlier claims, insisting she had given birth to the child biologically and demanding her immediate return.
Police Constable Kirui informed the court that the offence was complex and organised in nature, often involving multiple suspects and locations.
She said additional time was required to dismantle the trafficking network, trace other accomplices and identify the true parents of the rescued children.
State counsel Ms Susan Kibungi described the offence as grave, warning that the suspects posed a flight risk given the vulnerability of the victims.
She urged the court to open a protection and care (P&C) file and obtain a children’s officer’s report, emphasising that the children’s best interests must remain paramount.
Oloo’s advocate, Griffin Omondi, opposed the 21-day remand, arguing that no compelling grounds had been shown and that continued detention infringed on his client’s constitutional right to liberty. He noted Oloo’s fixed address in Kariobangi South and the fact that police already held her child.
The advocate described the application as an abuse of court process and lacking good faith. He urged the court to release his client, arguing that the probe could continue without detaining the second suspect.
After considering submissions from both sides, Hon. Kimemia granted the custodial order in accordance with Article 53 of the Constitution. The case will be mentioned on 7 April.
Investigators believe the syndicate may extend beyond these three women, with operations potentially spanning multiple areas of the city.
The DCI is pursuing all leads until every child is reunited with their rightful parents and the full network is dismantled.
