The Russian government has denied allegations that one of its citizens arrested in Kenya was recruiting young Kenyans to fight in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In a statement released on Saturday, September 27, the Russian Embassy in Nairobi clarified that the man—who had been taken in for questioning by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Thursday, September 25—was neither an employee of the Russian state nor connected to its embassy in Kenya.
According to the embassy, the individual was escorted by Kenyan law enforcement to DCI offices for interrogation before leaving the country the following day, Friday, September 26, in line with his prior travel plans.
“Upon completing all necessary procedures, in the afternoon of September 26, the Russian, in accordance with his previous plans, left Kenya. Diplomats of the Russian Embassy in Nairobi provided the necessary consular and legal assistance to the Russian citizen and ensured his rights were not violated,” the embassy said.
The clarification directly contradicted media reports that suggested the man had been arrested and deported. The embassy emphasized that no official communication had been provided by Kenyan authorities regarding charges or accusations against him.
Embassy Denies Employment Links
Dismissing speculation, the Russian Embassy insisted that the man had never been employed by any Russian governmental institution and had no affiliation with the embassy in Nairobi.
“Contrary to reports, this individual has never worked for Russian governmental bodies, nor is he part of the Russian diplomatic staff in Kenya,” the statement added.
The embassy reaffirmed its readiness to cooperate with Kenyan authorities on issues concerning Russian citizens in the country, stressing its role in safeguarding their rights and interests under both Kenyan and Russian laws.
22 Kenyans Rescued From Suspected Recruitment Scheme
The statement comes amid a police operation in Athi River, where security agencies rescued 22 Kenyans believed to have been lured into a fraudulent overseas job scheme.
Detectives alleged that the rescued individuals were being prepared for illegal deployment to Russia, with the ultimate goal of forcing them into combat roles in Ukraine. Many of the victims reportedly signed contracts through an unnamed recruitment agency, committing to pay as much as $18,000 (Ksh2.3 million) to cover visas, travel, and accommodation.
Authorities further claimed the suspect had been coordinating travel arrangements for the group between September and October this year. Following his questioning, police reportedly sought and obtained court approval to detain him for 10 more days as investigations continued.
The incident has sparked fresh concerns about human trafficking networks exploiting desperate job seekers in Kenya by offering lucrative overseas opportunities, only to trap them in dangerous situations abroad.