Kenya: Dozens held as police target aliens in Garissa Suk Mukdi

Police on Monday arrested more than a dozen people in an abrupt operation that took place in the heart of Garissa.

People going about their business at the infamous Suk Mukdi (black market) were rounded by armed police officers before being asked to identify themselves and to produce identity cards.

Initially the police surrounded the busy market raising speculation that there could be criminals hiding in the market among traders and their customers.

Those who failed to produce identification documents were led to a waiting police lorry and land rovers to the main Garissa police station.

Following the midday operation some businesses hurriedly closed for fear of arrest while others continued theirs uninterrupted.

The regional investigation department head Musa Yego who was leading the operation said the aim of the operation was to smoke out aliens from the town.

"We know there are aliens and the operation is to make sure people living in Garissa illegally are taken out," he said adding that those who will be found to be in the country illegally will be arraigned in court tomorrow.



Photo credit: Abdimalik Hajir