Kenya’s security
agencies have unravelled a human trafficking syndicate which has been
recruiting Kenyans in the guise of work in Moscow, Russia, but end up joining the Russian military where they are deployed to the war front with Ukraine.
This success was
borne out of a multi-agency approach where officers drawn across security
agencies focused on the vice after it was established that Kenyans were being duped
to pay huge amounts to secure employment in Russia, but ended up fighting with
Ukrainian forces.
Some are reported
to be killed, while those who survive are maimed, bear wounds of torture, or are
psychologically disturbed.
It is reported
that there are two Kenyans who returned to the country recently from Russia and
one is admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital.
On Wednesday, the Transnational Organised Crime Unit of the DCI led other security officers in an
intelligence-led operation at Great Wall Apartments in Athi River, where 21
Kenyans were found housed awaiting processing to Russia.
The officers arrested one of the suspects, who
was reportedly coordinating the processing of the victims to travel to Russia on diverse dates
in September and October for enlistment in the military under the guise of
lucrative jobs abroad.
The victims
disclosed to the officers that they had signed an agreement with an unnamed
overseas employment support agency binding them to pay Sh1.7 million to Sh2.3
million for visas, travel, accommodation and logistics.
Those who fail to
pay within 35 days are charged a one per cent daily penalty. Some of the victims
indicated that they had already paid deposits ranging from Sh50,00 to Sh100,000
upon being promised a monthly salary of Sh200,000.
During the raid,
the officers recovered documents suggesting high-level recruitment activities, among them a one-year partnership between two firms that were to recruit, screen, and deploy Kenyans to
Russia.
Also recovered
were cheque books, travel documents, and job offer letters from different
countries.
A preliminary
investigation points to a well-coordinated recruitment scheme, with some of the
main players reported to be senior people in the society.
The victims who are still being interviewed are expected to shed more light on the vice.
