Kenya: Man Charged with Trafficking Citizens to Fight in Russia-Ukraine War

Nairobi – Kenyan authorities on Thursday charged Festus Omwamba, 33, with human trafficking for allegedly deceiving at least 25 young Kenyans and facilitating their travel to Russia to fight in Ukraine, according to a statement from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Omwamba, the founder of the recruitment agency Global Face Human Resources, was arrested in Moyale, a border town with Ethiopia, after allegedly attempting to flee following reports of the scheme, police spokesperson Michael Muchiri told NTV Kenya. He is accused of recruiting 22 youths, with authorities rescuing them in a September police operation, and an additional three who returned home from the front lines with injuries.

The charges arrive amid growing concern over the recruitment of Kenyan citizens into the Russian military. Kenyan MP Kimani Ichung’wah told parliament last week that a joint report from the country’s intelligence services and Directorate of Criminal Investigations indicated more than 1,000 Kenyans have joined the Russian army in recent months. Of those, at least 89 remain on the front lines, 39 are hospitalized, and 28 are missing in action, with at least one confirmed fatality, according to reports to Parliament.

The DPP’s office stated on social media that Omwamba is accused of recruiting the 22 Kenyans “for exploitation by means of deception.” The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) described Omwamba as a “key player” in a syndicate that promises legitimate employment in Europe, but instead delivers recruits to dangerous and illegal jobs.

The Russian Embassy in Nairobi has denied any involvement in the recruitment, stating it did not issue visas to anyone intending to fight in Ukraine and that the Russian Federation does not preclude voluntary enlistment in its armed forces. However, intelligence reports presented to Kenya’s Parliament suggest collusion between Kenyan and Russian government officials and rogue recruitment agencies.

Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi announced on February 9 that he intends to travel to Russia for diplomatic talks aimed at addressing the situation and preventing further exploitation of Kenyan citizens. As of Thursday, February 26, 2026, the date of Omwamba’s arraignment, no date for Mudavadi’s visit has been publicly announced.