A man from Kenya was arrested for trafficking 25 compatriots in Russia, under the pretext of job placements, to send them to fight in Ukraine.

Festus Omwamba was arrested in Kenya, accused of trafficking at least 25 Kenyans to Russia, promising them well-paid jobs, but later sending them to the front lines in Ukraine. This arrest comes amid a crisis, in which the Kenyan government reported that over 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine, and their families have protested due to disappearances and deaths.

Omwamba was identified by recruits who stated that he avoided communication via text messages, preferring personal meetings. The Kenyan government is working on repatriating those who are in Russia and on releasing those detained in Ukraine.

The Russian Embassy denied the recruitment allegations, stating that it has not issued visas for foreign fighters. The arrest of Omwamba is an important step in the government's efforts to stop the illegal recruitment of Kenyans.