Man suspected of trafficking Kenyans to Russia arraigned

Festus Arasa Omwamba, a suspected key player behind the trafficking of Kenyans to Russia, has been arraigned at the Kibra law courts.

Omwamba is facing trafficking charges, and is said to have trafficked 25 Kenyan nationals to Russia between December 1, 2024 and September 24, 2025 from Great-Walls Gardens in Athi-River, Machakos County.

The 33-year-old was arrested by detectives based at Moyale Police Station after being on the police radar for his suspected involvement in human trafficking.

“Festus is believed to be a key player in a more extensive human trafficking syndicate that exploits vulnerable individuals by promising them legitimate employment opportunities in European countries,” The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) noted.

His arrest follows growing concerns of Kenyan men being duped into travelling abroad for jobs only to find themselves on the frontlines of the Russian army in its war against Ukraine.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) has said that more than 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited “to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war”, with 89 currently on the front line, 39 hospitalised and 28 missing in action.

Dancan Chege, a survivor, told Aljazeera that he left his home in Kiambu County for Russia, having been promised a job as a truck driver.

Without any combat experience he signed up for the war.

Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy in Nairobi has denied allegations of its staff being involved in the recruitment of Kenyans to fight in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The Embassy termed the claims as “dangerous and misleading propaganda campaign,” citing that its staff has never issued Visas to Kenyans who travelled to Russia with the sole purpose of joining the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

However, the mission clarified that Russian law does not prohibit foreign nationals already in Russia from voluntarily enlisting in the Russian Armed Forces, provided that they are legally present in the country and choose to join the conflict.