A Kenyan man, Festus Omwamba, has been charged with human trafficking for allegedly recruiting individuals to fight for the Russian army in Ukraine. Kenya's Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions stated that he sent 22 "Kenyan youths to Russia for exploitation by means of deception." Three victims who had already left Kenya ended up on the front lines and returned with injuries.

Omwamba pleaded not guilty in court, with his lawyer describing the case as based on "speculations." The Directorate of Criminal Investigations identified him as a "key player in a more extensive human trafficking syndicate that exploits vulnerable individuals by promising legitimate employment opportunities in European countries."

According to a National Intelligence Service report, over 1,000 Kenyans have joined the Russian army in recent months, often lured by job promises before being forced to sign military contracts. MP Kimani Ichung'wah reported that 89 Kenyans remain on the front line, 39 are hospitalized, and 28 are missing in action.

The Russian embassy in Nairobi denied the accusations, calling them a "dangerous and misleading propaganda campaign." Separately, South Africa reported that two of its citizens were killed on the front lines.

Source: www.aljazeera.com