National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has revealed a disturbing network of rogue government officials colluding with human trafficking syndicates to recruit Kenyans to fight in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Addressing the National Assembly on February 18, 2026, Ichung’wah said a joint investigation by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) uncovered collusion involving officers in immigration, security agencies, and diplomatic missions.
“There has been collusion between officers from the DCI, the Directorate of Immigration Services, and the National Employment Authority,” Ichung’wah stated, warning that no official implicated in the scheme would be spared.
“The ministries concerned must pinpoint these officers and hold them accountable. Government offices are not to be used for criminal activities,” he added.
Focus on Kenya’s Foreign Missions
The lawmaker singled out Kenya’s embassy in Moscow, demanding transparency and accountability. “Our ambassador in Moscow must identify officers who may have colluded with these criminals. Our embassy must be beyond reproach. It must be a place where Kenyans seek refuge, not exploitation,” Ichung’wah said.
Scale and Modus Operandi
Ichung’wah disclosed that more than 1,000 Kenyans have already been trafficked to Russia under the guise of lucrative pay and foreign citizenship. Recruits, often former military or police officers as well as unemployed civilians, were offered salaries of up to Ksh. 350,000 per month with bonuses of up to Ksh. 1.2 million.
Many were misled about their roles. “They are told you are going to work as a guard… only to get to those countries and be taken to military camps,” he said. “You’ve only trained for three weeks… They are basically just giving you a gun to go and die.”
According to the investigation, the toll on deployed Kenyans is severe:
- 39 hospitalized
- 30 repatriated
- 28 missing in action
- 89 still on the front line
- 1 detained
- 1 completed contract
- At least one death, with several others injured or traumatised
Changing Routes and Recruitment Tactics
Initially, recruits departed through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on tourist visas via Turkey and the UAE. With heightened surveillance at JKIA, traffickers reportedly rerouted victims through South Africa, Uganda, and other neighbouring states.
Investigators described the network as a well-organised trafficking syndicate masquerading as legitimate overseas recruitment agencies. Authorities have frozen bank accounts linked to suspects and recovered passports, contracts, and electronic evidence. Victims reportedly paid over Ksh. 1.6 million in recruitment fees.
Warnings to Job Seekers
Ichung’wah urged Kenyans seeking work abroad to verify offers through licensed recruitment agencies, cautioning that rogue operators exploit desperation.
“If you go to rogue agencies… you may end up maimed, hospitalised, or even lose your life,” he warned.
He condemned the corrupt officials who enabled the scheme, highlighting the emotional and physical toll on victims and their families.
Ongoing Investigations
Authorities continue to pursue additional suspects and are working to rescue Kenyans still trapped in the conflict, promising further arrests in connection with the network.
