ATHI RIVER, Kenya – Kenyan security agencies have uncovered a transnational human trafficking syndicate that has been luring unsuspecting Kenyans with promises of lucrative jobs in Moscow, only to force them into combat roles in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The operation, led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Transnational Organised Crime Unit, was carried out on Wednesday night at Great Wall apartments in Athi River, Machakos County. Officers rescued 21 Kenyans who were awaiting processing for travel to Russia.
Identified as the coordinator of the recruitment scheme, Edward Kamau Gituku, was arrested during the raid.
According to investigators, he had been preparing the victims for departure throughout September and October under the guise of overseas employment opportunities.
Authorities say the victims had been deceived into signing contracts with an unnamed employment support agency, binding them to pay between KES 1.65 million and 2.31 million for visas, travel, accommodation, and other logistics.
Failure to settle the amount within 35 days attracted a steep 1% daily penalty. Some had already paid deposits of KES 50,000 to 100,000, lured by the promise of salaries as high as KES 200,000 per month.
Preliminary investigations suggest the operation was part of a well-organised network, possibly involving influential figures.
During the raid, detectives recovered cheque books, travel documents, and job offer letters, alongside a one-year partnership agreement between two recruitment firms—Global Face Human Resource Ltd and Ecopillars Manpower Ltd—linked to the trafficking scheme.
Officials revealed that some Kenyans who had already been trafficked to Russia ended up on the frontlines of the conflict, where several were killed, and others returned home with severe injuries or psychological trauma.
At least two victims who made it back are in Kenya, one of whom is currently admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital.
The rescued victims are being interviewed by security agencies to provide more details on the syndicate’s operations.
Investigators are also pursuing leads that point to senior individuals suspected of backing the recruitment racket.
Authorities have urged Kenyans to be cautious about overseas job offers, warning that traffickers are exploiting economic hardships to prey on desperate jobseekers.
