Amid growing concerns about the number of Kenyans being lured into modern slavery by false promises of a good job overseas, a recent intelligence-led raid by local law enforcement led to arrests and liberation.
Awaiting processing to Russia…
At a residential apartment on the outskirts of Nairobi a total of 22 Kenyans were found in an apartment. Victims said they were simply “awaiting processing to Russia.” But police suspect they were instead lured into a human trafficking ring. Using false job offers in Russia in a classic debt bondage bait and switch, the recruiters had other plans for the group.
As reported by the BBC, police said:
“…the ‘mysterious trafficking syndicate’ was luring Kenyans with job offers in Moscow, only to send them to fight for the Russian military in Ukraine.”
Officers seized recruitment materials, travel documents, and job offer letters during the raid. According to a senior foreign ministry official, the Kenyan government was following up concerning reports of Kenyan nationals allegedly trafficked to Russia. According to police, of those falsely conscripted, many return home injured, and/or traumatized. Even worse, in some cases, they never make it back
Left for a job, ended up a prisoner of war
One person was arrested following the raid. It’s all part of a coordinated multi-agency security operation targeting a criminal network. A network which authorities say has been successfully extorting huge sums from desperate Kenyan job seekers. Some victims in the recent raid said they had already paid deposits of $1,500 for their “jobs”.
In addition, detectives stated:
“…the victims revealed they had signed contracts with an unnamed overseas employment agency, committing to pay up to $18,000 (£13,000) for visas, travel, accommodation, and other logistics.”
Alarmingly, after paying and leaving home for a “job offer” the reports claim many are now prisoners of war in Ukraine. However, Kenya citizens are not the only forced conscripts being trafficked into the Russian war. It’s reported that citizens of Somalia, Sierra Leone, Togo, Cuba and Sri Lanka are currently being held in Ukrainian prisoner-of-war camps.
Freedom United has also reported on the same bait and switch/forced conscription narrative being used on Indian citizens too.
Freedom United is interested in hearing from our community and welcomes relevant, informed comments, advice, and insights that advance the conversation around our campaigns and advocacy. We value inclusivity and respect within our community. To be approved, your comments should be civil.