More than 20 people have been rescued in Kenya from a suspected human trafficking ring that lured them with job offers in Russia but intended to send them to fight in Ukraine, police said.
It followed an intelligence-led raid on a residential apartment on the outskirts of the capital, Nairobi, where officers seized recruitment materials, travel documents, and job offer letters.
One suspect, accused of coordinating the victims’ travel to Russia in September and October, has been arrested.
He was taken to court, which allowed him to be detained for 10 days while the police complete their investigations.
There have been growing concerns over the rising number of Kenyans being trafficked abroad under false job promises.
A young Kenyan athlete was recently captured in Ukraine, saying he was tricked into joining the Russian army.
Authorities said Wednesday’s arrest followed a coordinated multi-agency security operation targeting the criminal network, which has been extorting huge sums from desperate Kenyan job seekers.
A total of 22 Kenyans were found in an apartment in Athi River area, “awaiting processing to Russia”.
