Twist in JKIA Trafficking Case as Officer Walks Free After Withdrawal

An immigration officer attached to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has been released after a court allowed the withdrawal of a criminal case that had been filed against him over alleged human trafficking.

John Poriot, who had been accused of facilitating the unlawful exit of two Kenyans from the country for suspected exploitation, was discharged on Tuesday, April 8, 2026, following a decision by prosecutors to terminate the case.

Appearing before the Kahawa Law Courts, Poriot, through his lawyer Danstan Omari, informed the court that he had previously written to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) requesting a review of the charges.

“We formally wrote to the ODPP requesting a review of the charges and seeking clarity on the way forward in this matter,” Omari told the court.

The prosecution confirmed the development, stating that the Director of Public Prosecutions had issued directions after reviewing the case file.

“Upon review of the file, the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that this matter be handled administratively by the relevant department,” the prosecutor said.

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Court Allows Withdrawal Under Section 87(a)

Following the directive, the prosecution applied to withdraw the case under Section 87(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code, which allows the state to discontinue criminal proceedings before judgment.

Trial magistrate Gedion Kiage allowed the application and ordered that Poriot be discharged under the same provision.

“I allow the application by the prosecution. The accused is hereby discharged under Section 87(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code,” ruled the magistrate.

The withdrawal means the case has been terminated in court, though the officer may still face administrative or disciplinary action by the Immigration Department.

Background: Alleged Trafficking of Kenyans to Thailand

Poriot had initially been accused under the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act, No. 8 of 2010, of facilitating the illegal departure of two Kenyan nationals identified as Evans Kipyegon and Isaac Kipruto.

According to earlier court filings, the alleged offence occurred on October 3, 2024, at JKIA in Embakasi Sub-County, where Poriot was said to have acted jointly with others not before the court to traffic the two individuals.

Investigators alleged that the victims were deceived with promises of employment opportunities in Thailand, which authorities believed could have exposed them to exploitation.

He had also faced a separate charge under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, No. 9 of 2009, relating to the possession of Ksh 11,087, suspected to be proceeds of crime.

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Earlier Arrest Warrant Issued

Before the withdrawal of the charges, the court had issued a warrant of arrest against Poriot after he failed to appear in court to take a plea in the trafficking case.

The warrant had been issued by the same court ahead of the April 8, 2026, mention date, before the prosecution ultimately moved to withdraw the charges.

Authorities had earlier indicated that investigations were ongoing to determine whether wider trafficking networks were involved in facilitating the cross-border movement of vulnerable individuals.

Although the criminal case has been withdrawn, the prosecution clarified that the matter will now be handled administratively by the relevant department within the Immigration Services.

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John Poriot -Immigration Officer attached to JKIA
PHOTO/Citizen