At least 40 Ethiopians were arrested while being transported on motorcycles in Merti, Isiolo.
This was after a shootout between police and suspected smugglers.
Police said the men were in the country illegally and claimed they were in transit to South Africa when they were nabbed.
The incident happened on December 5, at Biligo–Degogicha Junction along Merti Road.
There were gunshots at the scene as police approached where the aliens were.
Some of the aliens with their suspected smugglers were on motorcycles while others were on foot, police said.
After the shootout, the suspected smugglers managed to escape with some of the aliens.
Police said 40 others remained at the scene as they could not escape and were arrested.
Police say this is a new level where aliens are using armed smugglers to ferry them in a complicated syndicate.
According to the police, they had no valid documents for identification.
They were charged in court for being in the country illegally pending repatriation to their country.