NAIROBI, Kenya Apr 1 – The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has secured a warrant of arrest against a Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) immigration officer who failed to appear in court to take a plea in a human-trafficking case.
The accused, John Poriot, was scheduled to appear before the Kahawa Law Courts but did not attend, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.
Poriot is accused under the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act, No. 8 of 2010, of facilitating the illegal exit of two Kenyan nationals for purposes of exploitation.
It is alleged that on October 3, 2024, at JKIA in Embakasi Sub-County, he jointly with others not before the court trafficked Evans Kipyegon and Isaac Kipruto, allegedly deceiving them with promises of employment in Thailand.
The officer also faces a second charge under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, No. 9 of 2009, relating to possession of Sh11,087 suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Presiding Magistrate Hon. Gideon Kiage issued the arrest warrant and directed that the matter be mentioned on April 8, 2026.
The prosecution says investigations are ongoing as authorities seek to dismantle possible networks involved in cross-border human trafficking schemes.