Businessman Accused of Trafficking Ex-KDF Officers to Russia Released on Sh500,000 Bail

A businessman accused of trafficking former Kenyan military officers to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war has been released on a cash bail of Sh500,000 after nearly two weeks in police custody. Edward Gituku was freed following a ruling by Senior Principal Magistrate Gideon Kiage at the Kahawa Law Courts on October 9, 2025. The magistrate dismissed the prosecution's application to deny bail, allowing Gituku to walk free pending his trial.

The prosecution had urged the court to remand Gituku, arguing that he posed a flight risk and could potentially interfere with witnesses or ongoing investigations. They cited national security concerns in an affidavit opposing his release, emphasizing the gravity of the charges against him. Gituku is accused of facilitating the recruitment and relocation of 22 former Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers, who allegedly joined Russian military units engaged in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Gituku denied the human trafficking charges leveled against him. In his ruling, Magistrate Kiage stated that the prosecution failed to provide compelling reasons to justify denying bail. "The right to bond, though not absolute, can only be limited when there are compelling reasons," he said, noting that the prosecution's arguments did not meet the necessary threshold. The court subsequently ordered Gituku's release on a bond of Sh2 million or an alternative cash bail of Sh500,000.

The case is set to be mentioned in two weeks for pre-trial directions, as investigations continue. The allegations have raised significant concerns about human trafficking and the involvement of Kenyan citizens in foreign conflicts, prompting close scrutiny of the case.