Episode Details

Kenyan Court Charges Recruiting Company Director for Trafficking People to Fight in Ukraine War

A Kenyan court has charged a recruiting company director, Festus Arasa Omwamba, with trafficking twenty-five people to Russia to fight in the Ukraine war. Omwamba pleaded not guilty and was ordered held in custody until a bail hearing. Twenty-two of those people were rescued last September from an apartment complex near Nairobi in Athi River before they could leave. The other three made it to Russia, ended up on the frontline, and returned home injured. This case highlights a bigger problem, with Kenyas intelligence service reporting more than one thousand Kenyans fighting for Russia. Rogue officials at airports, immigration, and even embassy staff are suspected of helping get recruits out of the country. Ukraines foreign minister noted over one thousand seven hundred Africans overall have been tricked into joining Russias side. Russias embassy in Nairobi denies any illegal role but says foreigners can volunteer for their military. Kenyas foreign ministry has already rescued twenty-seven stranded citizens from Russia, and the foreign minister plans a trip there next month to address the issue and bring more home safely.

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