Authorities in both Kenya and South Africa are actively investigating separate but related cases of alleged human trafficking, where individuals are being recruited under false pretenses to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. These investigations highlight a disturbing trend of exploiting vulnerable citizens with promises of lucrative employment abroad, only for them to find themselves in perilous combat zones.

In Kenya, Festus Arasa Omwamba was arrested in Moyale, Marsabit County, by detectives from the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Omwamba is believed to be a central figure in a vast human trafficking syndicate that lures Kenyans with promises of legitimate employment in European countries. However, victims reportedly arrive only to be trapped in illegal and dangerous jobs, including conscription into the Russian army. The DCI and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) identified Omwamba as a key facilitator in this scheme.

A report presented to the National Assembly by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa implicated Omwamba’s recruitment agency, Global Face Human Resource Limited, as being at the heart of these operations. The report alleged that Omwamba collaborated with two Kenyans, Edward Kamau Gituku and Joel Muchiri Ngugi (alias Caleb), along with a Russian national, Mikhail Lyapin. While Lyapin was alleged to work at the Russian Embassy in Kenya, the Embassy later denied his employment. Global Face Human Resource Limited was found not to be registered with the National Employment Agency (NEA).

So far, approximately 1,000 Kenyans are believed to have traveled to Russia under this scheme, expecting signing bonuses of between Sh910,000 and Sh1.2 million. Omwamba allegedly facilitated the opening of bank accounts for these individuals. Recruits were reportedly led to believe they were going for other jobs, only to undergo a one-week weapon handling training before deployment to the battlefield. The movement of these victims was allegedly coordinated by rogue DCI officers, immigration officials, and airport personnel at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, with Omwamba moving them via Turkey or the United Arab Emirates before flying to Russia. Later scrutiny indicated that Kenyans also began traveling via Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to reach Russia. Global Face was also reportedly recruiting Kenyans already working in Qatar, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and Jordan, enticing them with better pay to move to Russia.

Edward Kamau Gituku was arrested on September 24, 2025, at the Great Wall Apartments, where 22 Kenyans allegedly bound for Russia were rescued. These men had reportedly paid between Sh50,000 and Sh250,000 for travel costs. Sergeant Brawmel Saima of TOCU reported recovering passports and a mobile phone, confirming the recruits believed they had signed lucrative contracts, but were in fact being trafficked. Gituku's case is ongoing at the Kahawa Law Courts. Mikhail Lyapin was arrested on September 25 and reportedly deported to Russia without formal legal proceedings. The recruiters specifically targeted former military and police personnel, as well as men aged between 25 and 50, for this "deadly mission." Omwamba himself had been granted anticipatory bail by the Milimani High Court, with his case set for mention on March 29, 2025. Two health facilities, Universal Trends Medical and Diagnostic Centre and Inspocare Health Limited, named in the report for medically clearing recruits, secured orders blocking the DCI from probing their accounts.

Concurrently, the South African government is investigating payments linked to the alleged trafficking of South African men to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni confirmed government contact with affected families following the return of 11 men. The investigation is probing claims, including an allegation by a family member, that R14 million was paid to an individual by the Wagner Group to recruit their sons to fight in the conflict. A spokesperson for the affected families further alleged in an interview that Duduzile Sambudla-Zuma, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, pocketed this R14 million. Ntshavheni stated that while payments were confirmed, investigators are working to establish who received the money, its purpose, and its use. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola is providing government support to affected families in KwaZulu-Natal, who had requested assistance since reporting the scheme in November. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for his assistance in the return of these South African citizens.