IOM Kenya, KQ partner to combat human trafficking

The International Organization for Migration Kenya (IOM), has  partnered with Kenya Airways  (KQ) to enhance efforts against human trafficking.

The partnership will see Kenya Airways receive training and expertise from United Nation’s migration arm IOM, to facilitate the carrier identify and prevent human trafficking and facilitate legal migration pathways.

While victims of human trafficking largely remain unaccounted for due to the clandestine nature of the crime, the government recorded 90 cases of human trafficking in 2022.

“In Africa we have a huge youth population, we have a youth bulge. Either unemployed or under employed. And on the other hand, the destination countries they have aging population, labour shortages. So, if we have a win-win where people can move in a safe and regulated way then we shall have cracked it,” said Chief of Mission, IOM Kenya Dimanche Sharon.

On his part, Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka stressed the importance of the airline to join the fight against human trafficking because it plays a pivotal role in global transportation.

"For us as Kenya airways, we move 5 million people every year, and it is important for us to ensure that this people are moved in a safe, secure and dignified manner," he said.

"There are many instances where we have undocumented immigrants and people who move without dignity. So we have signed a memorandum to work collaboratively to make sure that people ae moving in a safe secure and dignified manner."