Authorities have arrested a Russian national involved in the illegal recruitment of Kenyans to fight in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The arrest, which took place on Thursday evening in Nairobi, followed a series of intelligence operations led by Kenyan security agencies. The suspect, who has been in Kenya since 2017, was apprehended at Muthaiga Police Station, where he is currently being held in anticipation of his arraignment.
The arrest is part of a larger investigation into a human trafficking syndicate that has been targeting Kenyans with promises of lucrative employment opportunities in Russia. Security agencies rescued 21 Kenyans who had been unknowingly processed to travel to Russia under the guise of job placements. These individuals had been housed in rented apartments in Nairobi, where they were being prepared for departure. The recruits were reportedly unaware that they were being recruited to join the Russian military and fight in the war against Ukraine.
The syndicate appears to have been operating for some time, with several Kenyans already sent to Russia to participate in the war. Some of these recruits have been killed in action, while others have suffered severe injuries or mental trauma. Reports have indicated that victims were promised high-paying jobs, only to end up in military service. Those who managed to return to Kenya revealed the harsh conditions they endured, with one of the survivors currently receiving medical treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Investigators believe that the recruitment network involved senior figures in society, and that the scam was well-coordinated. Documents recovered during the raid at the Great Wall apartments in Athi River revealed agreements between various recruitment agencies, travel documents, job offer letters, and cheque books. These findings point to a large-scale operation designed to exploit vulnerable individuals in exchange for hefty payments.
The victims, who had signed agreements to pay between Sh1.65 million and Sh2.31 million for travel and accommodation costs, disclosed that they had been promised salaries ranging from Sh200,000 to Sh250,000 per month. Those unable to pay within a specified time frame were subjected to penalties, with some of the victims forced to pay large sums before leaving Kenya.
Security officials have warned the public about the dangers of falling prey to such recruitment scams and urged vigilance against deceptive offers of employment in foreign countries. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the syndicate’s operations and bring those responsible to justice.
