40 Ethiopians were arrested in a house in Kayole area in Nairobi on Thursday for being in the country illegally.
The men aged between 10 to 25 told police officers through a translator that they were headed to South Africa.
They were allegedly brought into the country on Monday by an agent who had organised the trip for them.
According to police officers, the 40 lacked official documentation from relevant immigration authorities.
Njiru Sub-county Police Commander Patrick Mwamba noted that they received a tip-off from members of the public who led them to the hideout.
Police officers have launched investigations on the matter as they search for the agent.
The men are currently held at the Kayole Police Station and are set to be arraigned at the Makadara law courts later.
