Russian, Ukrainian nationals charged over work permits in Kisumu

Eight foreigners were yesterday charged with working in Kenya without permits.

The suspects are said to have been working in various capacities at a community-based organisation in Dunga, Kisumu County, with some engaged as volunteers.

Those charged were three Russians and five Ukrainians.

They denied the charges before Chief Magistrate Julius Ngar Ngar and were released on a Sh500,000 bond each, with a surety of the same amount.

The suspects are said to have committed the crime on June 14.

Defence lawyers sought to have them released on reasonable bond terms.

Two other suspects did not take plea for lack of a translator.

In one of the cases, Natalia Yevtushyk, from Ukraine, denied employing foreign nationals to work as volunteers without work permits. She faced three such counts.

The court heard that on June 14, at Presbyterian Daddy’s Community-Based Organisation, the suspect was found to have failed to maintain proper records.

Lawyer Mitchelle Menezes asked the court to release her on reasonable bond terms, arguing she was not a flight risk.

“There is no compelling reason why the accused cannot be released on bond. She is innocent until proven guilty,” said Menezes. He said their passports had been confiscated.

The prosecution asked the court to reject the request, arguing that the suspects could still get documents from their embassies and travel out of the country.

Ngar Ngar said there had been cases where foreigners disappearing after being granted bond.