Kenyan authorities have charged a 33-year-old man, Festus Arasa Omwamba, for allegedly luring dozens of young men with promises of overseas jobs — only for them to reportedly face deployment to fight for Russia in its four-year war with Ukraine.
Omwamba, who runs a recruitment agency known as Global Faces Human Resources, is accused of recruiting at least 22 Kenyans through deception, allegedly exploiting them under the guise of securing employment opportunities abroad.
He has denied all charges.
The victims are said to have been rescued from an apartment complex in a town near the capital, Nairobi, before they could travel to Russia.
Prosecutors further alleged that three other Kenyans who had already made it to Russia later returned home with injuries.
The Russian Embassy in Nairobi has denied encouraging Kenyans to join the war in Ukraine.
In a statement, the embassy also denied issuing visas to Kenyan citizens who declared intentions to participate in what Moscow calls its “Special Military Operation” in Ukraine.
Reports indicate that Kenyans are among more than a thousand Africans believed to be fighting on the Russian side of the conflict.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the federal government recently issued a warning to citizens about being lured into foreign conflicts under false pretences.
However, authorities have yet to announce any arrests of suspected recruiters.
AIT investigations reveal that at least one recruiter has been actively approaching Nigerians with offers of overseas employment.
Some of the rescued Kenyan victims say they signed contracts with an unnamed overseas employment agency, agreeing to pay up to 18 thousand dollars — approximately 24 million naira — to cover visa processing, travel, accommodation, and other expenses.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing as concerns grow over the exploitation of young Africans in foreign conflicts.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
