In a statement released late Wednesday, Kenyan authorities said 33-year-old Festus Arasa Omwamba was arrested in Moyale, a northern town bordering Ethiopia.
Police in Kenya have arrested a man suspected of involvement in a human trafficking scheme that allegedly lured Kenyans to Russia with false job promises, only for them to end up fighting on the front lines of the war in Ukraine.
In a statement released late Wednesday, Kenyan authorities said 33-year-old Festus Arasa Omwamba was arrested in Moyale, a northern town bordering Ethiopia.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Omwamba is believed to be a key figure in a wider trafficking network that targets vulnerable individuals by offering what appear to be legitimate employment opportunities in European countries.
However, victims allegedly find themselves trapped in dangerous and illegal work upon arrival, compromising their safety and wellbeing.
Officials said the suspect remains in police custody and is being prepared for an imminent court appearance.
Kenyan broadcaster NTV Kenya, citing police spokesperson Michael Muchiri, reported that Omwamba was arrested after returning from Russia and is accused of recruiting Kenyans into the Russian military.
The arrest follows a report released last week by Kenya’s National Intelligence Service indicating that more than 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. The report said 89 are currently on the front line, 39 have been hospitalised, and 28 are missing in action.
A day after the report’s publication, dozens of families staged protests in Nairobi, urging the government to dismantle networks allegedly deceiving locals into joining the conflict. Many families are still seeking information about the fate of their relatives, while others are mourning loved ones who have died.
The Embassy of Russia in Nairobi denied the allegations, describing them as misleading propaganda.
The embassy said it had not issued visas to Kenyans intending to travel to Russia to fight in Ukraine, though it noted that foreign citizens are not barred from voluntarily enlisting in Russian armed forces.
Kenya’s Foreign Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, said he plans to travel to Russia in March to engage authorities and facilitate the safe return of Kenyans believed to be stranded there.
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