Thursday, April 2, 2026 - Detectives from the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) are pursuing an Assistant Director of Immigration Services, Mr. John Pario, who is wanted after failing to appear in court for plea taking in a human trafficking case.
The suspect was arrested on April 2, 2025, following
investigations into the trafficking of two victims to Myanmar in 2024 while he
was stationed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
He is said to have facilitated their departure despite prior
knowledge that they had been denied entry into Thailand under similar
circumstances.
Forensic analysis revealed sustained communication between
Mr. Pario and a co-suspect, demonstrating coordinated planning.
The suspect is further alleged to have received the victims’
photographs and travel documents to aid in their identification and clearance,
and later attempted to help them evade scrutiny upon return.
Investigations also established financial transactions
linked to the facilitation, while victim statements confirm they were referred
to Mr. Pario through the trafficking network.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP)
approved charges against the suspect, who was released on cash bail of Kshs.
50,000.
He was subsequently enjoined as the third accused person in
a criminal case before the Kahawa Law Courts, facing charges of facilitating
the exit of persons from the country contrary to Section 7 of the
Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act No. 8 of 2010.
On March 24, 2026, the suspect was processed at DCI
Headquarters and directed to appear in court on March 25, 2026. Plea taking was
deferred to April 1, 2026, but he failed to attend, prompting the court to
forfeit his cash bail and issue a warrant of arrest.
He is now a wanted person with efforts to trace and apprehend him ongoing.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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