There is growing fear among parents and teachers in Garissa over phenomenal rise in disappearances of children and youths in a suspected human trafficking syndicate in which perpetrators later demand ransom to release the victims.

Reports by human rights organisations in north-eastern show the criminals smuggle children and youths out of the country through Sudan and ferry them all the way to Libya after deceiving the victims that they were taking them to Europe for better job opportunities.

The traffickers then hand the victims to kidnappers who demand money to release them. The group is said to primarily target young people seeking better economic opportunities overseas.

The latest case involves three grade 10 girls from Iftin Comprehensive School in Garissa Township, who disappeared last month only for their torture videos to emerge on social media, with their captors demanding money in exchange for their release.

Sources in security circles in Garissa say the total number of people who have been smuggled out of the county remains unclear as many of the cases are not formally reported to police making it hard for investigations to commence.

Speaking during the commemoration of the Day of the African Child in Garissa, sub-county Principal Education Officer, Nastea Sheikh called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders including the elders and religious leaders to protect the children from trafficking.

Nastea noted that some of the parents affected are already from humble backgrounds and could not afford the amount of ransom money asked to have their children back.

“Our children are being taken away by people who maybe child traffickers in the name of migrating to greener pastures where our youth and school going children are suffering. We have seen on social media children being beaten and their parents are asked for ransom sums of up to Ksh3 million. The parents are poor already and cannot afford such huge amounts,” Nastea said.

“This is something affecting us and I want to urge all leaders; religious leaders, government officials, parents and responsible citizens to be very vigilant so that our children can be safe as we work together to protect them,” she added.

Shahia Hambe, Garissa Township sub-county administrator called on young girls and boys to be careful on the streets, urging them to be vigilant and avoid accompanying strangers who may entice them.

“Girls were taken from this school and were taken to Libya. We have seen them on social media being tortured and that is why we are here to commemorate this day with you and tell you not to follow strangers,” Shahia warned.

“This is your time to study. A time to look for jobs and work will come but at the moment, your work is to study hard, listen to your parents and teachers,” she added.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Erick Kyalo