The girls are said to have been arrested on Thursday night, and accused of stayin in the country illegally. [Photo/Standard]
Detectives in Mombasa are investigating a syndicate where three Indian and seven Nepalese girls were arrested on Thursday night and later released on allegations of human trafficking.
The 10 ladies, working at a popular entertainment in Nyali are said to have been brought into the country illegally to work as barmaids and entertainers.
Lawyers representing the accused however say the 10 have legal work permits, and that the authorities were being compromised by rival operators to frustrate their clients.
According to reports, police were tipped off and moved in on Thursday night, arresting the women.
The ladies were taken into custody at night before they were arraigned before Shanzu Law courts on Friday.
Represented by city criminal lawyer Cliff Ombeta, the 10 denied the charges and being in possession of illegal documents that allow them to work in Kenya.
The court ordered them to be released, but the police held them through the day at the courts until orders were made from ‘above’.
“I spoke to the Inspector General and I told him this is impunity, and until this moment, he has done nothing yet,” said Ombeta as quoted by KTN.