NAIROBI: Man Charged With Trafficking Kenyans to Russia
Festus Arasa Omwamba, a suspected main role in the trafficking of Kenyans to Russia, has been charged in the Kibra courts.
Omwamba is facing trafficking charges and is accused of transporting 25 Kenyan individuals to Russia between December 1, 2024 and September 24, 2025, from Great-Walls Gardens in Athi-River, Machakos County.
Detectives from Moyale Police Station apprehended the 33-year-old after he was suspected of being involved in human trafficking.
ARREST OF A WANTED HUMAN TRAFFICKER
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) February 25, 2026
Detectives based at Moyale Police Station have apprehended 33-year-old Festus Arasa Omwamba, a man who has been on the police radar for his involvement in human trafficking.
Festus is believed to be a key player in a more extensive human… pic.twitter.com/A2LdA4iF9H
“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 comes amid mounting concerns that Kenyan men are being misled into traveling abroad for work only to find themselves on the front lines of the Russian army’s battle against Ukraine.
According to the National Intelligence Service (NIS), more than 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited “to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war,” with 89 now on the front lines, 39 in hospitals, and 28 missing in action.
Dancan Chege, a survivor, told Al Jazeera that he left his home in Kiambu County for Russia after being offered a job as a truck driver.
He enlisted in the war despite having no prior fighting experience.
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Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy in Nairobi has refuted charges that its officials were involved in recruiting Kenyans to fight in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Embassy described the charges as a “dangerous and misleading propaganda campaign”.
Festus Omwamba, the man accused of deceiving 25 Kenyans into joining the Russian army, was arrested while attempting to flee through Moyale.#SpiceDrive
— SpiceFM (@SpiceFMKE) February 26, 2026
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It cited 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.
NAIROBI: Man Charged With Trafficking Kenyans to Russia
