A Russian embassy official has been deported from Kenya after being linked to a trafficking syndicate that lured Kenyans to Moscow under the guise of lucrative jobs, only for them to be forced into joining the war in Ukraine.
The suspect, identified as Mike Lyapin, was arrested in Nairobi on Thursday evening and deported the following day aboard an Air Arabia flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 1 p.m. The flight transited through Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, before connecting to Moscow.
Human Trafficking Bust in Nairobi
Lyapin, described as a key player in the cartel, was reportedly using his diplomatic cover to facilitate the trafficking of unsuspecting Kenyans. Security agencies say 22 Kenyans were rescued from rented apartments in Nairobi, where they were being processed for travel to Russia.
Lyapin, who first arrived in Kenya on March 6, 2017, was detained at Muthaiga Police Station before his deportation.
Kenyan Security Agencies Warn Citizens
Authorities are now warning Kenyans against falling prey to job offers abroad, especially in Russia, cautioning that victims risk being forcefully recruited into the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
“He was sent away after his arrest over this saga,” said a senior official familiar with the deportation.
Investigations are ongoing, with officials confirming that more suspects connected to the syndicate are being pursued.
