Police have arrested a man identified as Festus Omwamba in Moyale town for allegedly recruiting Kenyan nationals to join Russia's military, with the suspect now in custody at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters in Nairobi for questioning.
The arrest took place on February 22, 2026, shortly after Omwamba arrived from Russia and attempted to flee the border region. Police Spokesman Michael Muchiri confirmed the operation, stating that officers acted on credible intelligence that the suspect had been actively luring young Kenyans with promises of high-paying security jobs in Russia, only for them to end up in combat roles supporting Russian forces in the ongoing conflict.
“Festus Omwamba was intercepted in Moyale while trying to evade arrest after returning from Russia,” Muchiri said in a statement. “He is the prime suspect in a scheme that has seen several Kenyan youths recruited under false pretences and deployed to the front lines. He has been transported to DCI headquarters in Nairobi where he is assisting with investigations.”
Muchiri added that preliminary inquiries indicate Omwamba operated through informal networks, social media platforms and word-of-mouth referrals, targeting unemployed youth in northern Kenya and other regions with promises of lucrative contracts, citizenship pathways and adventure. “Many of these young men were told they would work as security guards or logistics personnel, only to find themselves in active combat zones,” the spokesman said. “We are working to identify and trace all individuals who may have been recruited or are at risk.”
The arrest has reignited concerns about the exploitation of Kenyan youth in foreign conflicts, particularly since reports emerged in 2024 and 2025 of dozens of Kenyans being lured to Russia with fake job offers before being forced into military service. Some families have reported losing contact with relatives who travelled through Dubai or other transit points before ending up in Russia.
Local leaders in Moyale and Marsabit County welcomed the arrest but called for deeper investigations into recruitment networks. “This is not an isolated case,” said a community elder who asked not to be named. “Young men are being promised jobs abroad, given tickets and then disappear. Families are left desperate. We need the government to dismantle these syndicates completely.”
Human rights organisations have also weighed in, urging authorities to ensure the suspect receives a fair process while protecting the rights of potential victims. “Recruitment for foreign armed conflicts under false pretences is a form of human trafficking,” said a spokesperson for Haki Africa. “Those responsible must face the full force of the law, but we also call for support for families searching for missing relatives.”
The DCI has appealed to the public for information that could help identify other recruiters or victims. “If you or someone you know has been approached for work in Russia or has a relative missing after travelling abroad for a job, please contact the nearest police station or the DCI hotline,” Muchiri urged. “Your information could save lives.”
Omwamba remains in custody and is expected to be arraigned soon on charges including human trafficking, fraud and recruitment for foreign military service. Investigations are ongoing to determine the scale of the alleged operation, the number of Kenyans affected and any international links.
The arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny of foreign military recruitment targeting African youth, with similar cases reported in Uganda, Tanzania and other countries. The Kenyan government has previously issued travel advisories warning citizens against accepting security-related jobs in Russia without thorough verification.
As the case unfolds, families of missing young men continue to hope for answers, while authorities promise a thorough probe to dismantle any recruitment networks operating within Kenya.
