Imagine a desperate, jobless Kenyan lured with promises of good jobs abroad, only to end up trapped in a war zone. That is the story that has shaken many after the arrest of Edward Kamau Gituku.
Gituku is linked to Global Face Agencies, a company accused of taking advantage of struggling Kenyans. The agency promised lucrative opportunities in Moscow, but some victims ended up being conscripted to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
On September 24, detectives from the DCI’s Transnational Organised Crime Unit raided Great Wall Apartments in Athi River, Machakos County.
Inside one of the houses, they found 21 Kenyans locked in as they awaited travel. Recovered in the raid were travel documents, cheque books, job offer letters, and agreements pointing to a structured recruitment plan.
The DCI said the victims had paid between KSh1.65 million and KSh2.31 million for visas, travel, and accommodation. Those who failed to raise the full amount within 35 days were charged a 1% daily penalty.
Following the raid, Gituku was arrested and accused of running a human trafficking syndicate.
But Gituku has denied all claims. Through his lawyers Cliff Ombeta and Danstan Omari, he insists his company is legitimate.
Omari said Gituku’s business has a valid contract with the Russian government to recruit ex-KDF officers. According to him, only retired soldiers cleared by the Kenyan Defence Forces were being considered.
“It is not true that the people arrested were minors,” Omari said. “His company has a contract with the Russian military forces, an equivalent of KDF. They have no liability and no pending issue.”
Gituku now says he is being wrongly accused, even as the case raises tough questions about how desperate job seekers are being exploited with promises of work abroad.
By Vivian K.