Over 20 people have been rescued in Kenya from a suspected human trafficking syndicate that promised them lucrative jobs in Russia but was actually planning to send them to fight in Ukraine, police confirmed.
The rescue followed an intelligence led raid on a residential apartment on the outskirts of Nairobi, where officers recovered recruitment materials, travel documents, and fake job offer letters.
One suspect, believed to have coordinated the victims’ travel to Russia between September and October, was arrested. He has since been taken to court and granted a 10 day detention period as police wrap up their investigations.
Concerns have been mounting over the increasing number of Kenyans being lured abroad with false employment promises.
Recently, a young Kenyan athlete revealed he was tricked into joining the Russian army after being captured in Ukraine, pleading, “I’m Kenyan, don’t shoot.”
Authorities said Wednesday’s arrest was the result of a coordinated multi agency operation targeting the trafficking network, which has been extorting huge sums from desperate Kenyans in search of jobs.
