The Russian Embassy in Nairobi has denied reports that one of its nationals, Mikhail Lyapin, was arrested and deported, clarifying that he only recorded a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) before leaving the country.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the embassy said Lyapin visited the DCI offices in Nairobi regarding his business dealings.

“Upon completing all necessary procedures, in the afternoon of September 26, Mr Lyapin, in accordance with his previous plans, left Kenya. Diplomats of the Russian Embassy in Nairobi provided the necessary consular and legal assistance to the Russian citizen, and also made sure that his legal rights were not violated,” the embassy said.

The mission further noted it had not received official communication from Kenyan authorities regarding any allegations against Lyapin or his activities.

“Contrary to the reports of a number of media outlets, Mr Lyapin has never been an employee of Russian governmental bodies and does not work at the Russian Embassy in Nairobi,” it added.

Local media outlets had reported that a Russian citizen was arrested on Thursday evening after police discovered 22 Kenyans in rented apartments in Nairobi, allegedly preparing to travel to Moscow.

The BBC reported that officers seized recruitment materials, travel documents, and job offer letters during the raid. According to the report, a Russian national was accused of coordinating the victims’ planned travel in September and October.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the Kahawa Law Courts ordered Edward Kamau Gituku, a Kenyan national accused of running a human trafficking network, to be detained for ten days to allow further investigations. Prosecutors from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) told the court that Gituku should remain in custody at Muthaiga Police Station.

Investigators suspect Gituku is at the helm of a transnational trafficking ring moving Kenyans to Moscow, Russia, where the victims are allegedly subjected to exploitation.