Festus Omwamba, the man accused of trafficking Kenyans to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, has claimed that he surrendered to police in Moyale following death threats made by unknown Russians.
Appearing before the Kahawa Law Courts Thursday, he denied the charges and revealed the alleged death threats.
The magistrate ordered that lawyers representing the suspect, who owns Global Face Human Resources, return to court on Friday to cross-examine investigating officers who revealed the alleged threats when seeking custodial orders.
Prosecutors asked the Kahawa magistrates court to deny Mr Omwamba bail or bond so that he can be protected while in custody, as investigators complete a human trafficking investigation in which the 33-year-old is a prime suspect.
Police and intelligence officers believe that Mr Omwamba is the local leader of a global human trafficking ring that has duped at least 1,000 Kenyans into joining the Russian military and fighting in the frontlines of its invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Omwamba’s legal team opposed his detention, citing an existing anticipatory bail of Sh100,000 that was issued by the High Court on February 4. They said the High Court in Nairobi had issued anticipatory bail in June last year that prevents Mr Omwamba’s arrest and prosecution until March this year. However, the court agreed with the State that the order was time barred, having been granted last year.
Festus Arasa Omwamba, the 33-year-old man whom the National Intelligence Service has accused of recruiting 1,000 Kenyans to fight for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.
Photo credit: Pool
At the Kahawa Law Courts Thursday, Mr Omwamba appeared jovial as he exchanged pleasantries with journalists and put up a brave face despite a charge sheet of human trafficking for war that attracts 30 years’ imprisonment or Sh30 million fine upon conviction.
The prosecution, through an affidavit led by police constable Robi Stella, told the court that they are opposed to Mr Omwamba’s release on bond because he may interfere with evidence.
“Investigations are still ongoing...he is likely to interfere with the process if released. The rescued trafficking victims may be intimidated, re-victimised or dissuaded from testifying,” the DCI said in its affidavit.
Prosecutors also held that keeping him in custody could be the best way of keeping Mr Omwamba safe since he says he has received death threats from unnamed Russians.
"For his own safety, he should be placed in custody. He reached out to the investigating officer expressing fear after receiving threats from Russian mercenaries. Being in custody is for his own protection. His place of abode has not been established,” the prosecution told the court.
Prosecuting counsel Kennedy Amwayi told the court that 22 victims of human trafficking were rescued on September 24, 2025 in Athi River. He further alleged that three other victims who had already travelled to Russia later found themselves on the frontline of the Russia–Ukraine war and eventually returned to Kenya with injuries.
'Voluntarily surrendered'
Festus Omwamba (left) when he appeared before Kahawa Law Courts on February 26, 2026. He is accused of recruiting Kenyans to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Photo credit: Simon Ciuri | Nation Media Group
In court, his legal team maintained that Mr Omwamba voluntarily surrendered himself to authorities and that he was not a flight risk. They went ahead to say that he was ready to deposit his passport.
Meanwhile, a National Intelligence Service (NIS) report read to MPs on February 18, 2026 indicated that a stop order against Mr Omwamba had been issued for his alleged role in luring Kenyans to their death on the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war.
It remains unclear how Mr Omwamba made frequent flights to Russia despite the existence of the stop order.
Mikhail Lyapin, a Russian national who investigators and intelligence officers believe is Mr Omwamba’s business partner, was arrested on September 24, 2025 following a raid on an apartment at Athi River’s Greatwall Apartments.
During the raid, police found 22 Kenyans in the apartment. They were set to travel to Moscow to join the Russian military.
Edward Gituku, believed to be an associate of Mr Omwamba, was also arrested after the raid.
