By Andrew Kariuki
A director of Global Face Limited has been arraigned before the Kahawa Law Courts over allegations of trafficking Kenyan youths to Russia under false pretences.
The accused, 33-year-old Festus Arasa Omwamba, appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Gideon Kiage, where he denied all charges brought against him.
According to the prosecution, Omwamba is accused of recruiting at least 22 Kenyan nationals and facilitating their travel to Russia while allegedly misrepresenting the nature of the opportunities available to them.
The court heard that the alleged offences were committed on various dates between December 1, 2024 and September 24, 2025, at Great Wall Gardens in the Athi River area within Mavoko Sub-County, Machakos County.
Prosecutors stated that the accused acted in collaboration with another individual who is also facing charges.
Investigations revealed that Omwamba surrendered himself at the Moyale immigration border on February 2, 2026, where he was arrested.
He was later escorted by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to Isiolo Police Station before being handed over to the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) for further investigations.
State 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 additional victims who had already travelled to Russia were later caught up in the Russia–Ukraine conflict and returned to Kenya with injuries.
The prosecution opposed the accused’s release on bail, arguing that he posed a flight risk and that the case has attracted significant public interest both locally and internationally.
Consequently, the court ordered that Omwamba be remanded in custody pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
Earlier proceedings had seen the plea deferred after the defence indicated that the accused had previously been granted anticipatory bail of Ksh 100,000.
However, the prosecution successfully argued that the anticipatory bail had lapsed, having been issued in June 2025, and was therefore no longer valid.
The court agreed with the prosecution’s position, paving the way for plea taking to proceed.
The case will continue as investigations and court proceedings unfold.
