Kenyan police have foiled a suspected human trafficking ring that lured job seekers with promises of employment in Russia, only to force them to fight in Ukraine.
In a raid on an apartment in Athi River, 22 Kenyans were rescued, and one suspect was arrested for coordinating their travel to Russia.
The victims had signed contracts with an unnamed agency, committing to pay up to $18,000 for logistics and had already paid deposits of $1,500.
The trafficking syndicate extorted huge sums from desperate job seekers, and many return home injured, traumatized, or sometimes never make it back.
Two Kenyans recently returned, with one hospitalized. The Kenyan government is investigating reports of nationals being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine.
Petro Yatsenko, Ukraine’s spokesperson on prisoner treatment, mentioned citizens from several countries, including Somalia and Sri Lanka, are being held captive, but noted most African states show little interest in repatriating their citizens.
