Ichung’wah exposes rogue State network as 1,000 Kenyans trafficked to Russia war

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has revealed what he described as a disturbing network of rogue government officials colluding with human trafficking syndicates to recruit and facilitate the movement of Kenyans to fight in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Addressing the National Assembly, Ichung’wah said a joint investigation by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had uncovered collusion involving officers in immigration, security agencies and even diplomatic missions.

“There has been collusion between officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation, the Directorate of Immigration Services and the National Employment Authority,” Ichung’wah revealed, warning that no official implicated in the scheme would be spared.

“The ministries concerned… must be able to pinpoint who these particular officers are and hold them to account. Government offices are not to be used for criminal activities.”

The Kikuyu Member of Parliament also demanded accountability within Kenya’s foreign missions, singling out the embassy in Moscow.

“Our ambassador in Moscow must be able to identify the officers within the embassy that may have colluded with these criminals. Our embassy must be beyond reproach. It must be the place where Kenyans can seek refuge, not exploitation,” he said.

Ichung’wah told the House that more than 1,000 Kenyans have already been recruited and trafficked to Russia to fight in the conflict, many lured by promises of lucrative pay and foreign citizenship.

“The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war continues to trigger the recruitment of foreign fighters by the Russian military through rogue recruitment agencies and individuals in Kenya,” he said.

According to the findings, recruiters target former military officers, police officers and unemployed civilians, offering monthly salaries of up to Ksh.350,000 and bonuses of up to Ksh.1.2 million.

Many, however, reportedly end up on the front line after minimal training.

“They are told you are going to work as a guard… only to get to those countries and you are taken to military camps,” Ichung’wah said.

“You’ve only trained for three weeks… They are basically just giving you a gun to go and die.”

The investigation outlined the toll on those already deployed, 39 Kenyans hospitalized, 30 repatriated, 28 missing in action, 89 still on the front line, one detained, and another having completed his contract as of February 2026.

At least one Kenyan has died, while several others have returned home injured or traumatised.

The MP said that, initially, recruits departed through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) using tourist Visas and travelled through Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

However, with heightened surveillance at JKIA, traffickers reportedly changed tactics, rerouting victims through South Africa, Uganda and other neighbouring states.

“When JKIA is closely monitored, you hear now they have moved through South Africa, Uganda and other neighbouring countries,” Ichung’wah said.

Investigators described the operation as a well-organised trafficking syndicate masquerading as legitimate overseas recruitment agencies.

The DCI noted that the network was recruiting Kenyans under false pretences and deploying them directly to active conflict zones.

Authorities have since reportedly frozen bank accounts linked to key suspects and recovered passports, contracts and electronic evidence during raids.

According to the probe, victims were found to have paid more than Ksh.1.6 million in recruitment fees.

Several suspects, including the alleged mastermind, remain under active investigation, with more arrests expected.

Ichung’wah urged job seekers to verify foreign employment offers through licensed recruitment agencies, cautioning that rogue operators were exploiting desperation.

“If you go to rogue agencies… they will take you to those battlefronts… you may end up getting maimed, hospitalised… or even lose your life,” he warned.

He said corrupt officials who enabled the scheme had caused immense suffering to families.

“They have made other Kenyans lose lives, others suffer in the battlefront, and of course the emotional turmoil that the families… are going through,” he said.

Investigations are ongoing as authorities pursue additional suspects and work to rescue Kenyans still trapped in the conflict.