Today in History: How the Artur Brothers Landed in Kenya and Were Granted Passports and Police Ranks

On December 13, 2005, two Armenian nationals, Artur Margaryan and Artur Sargsyan, arrived in Kenya. Initially, their arrival attracted little public attention.

Subsequent investigations revealed that the two individuals obtained Kenyan passports and immigration documentation under highly controversial circumstances.

A parliamentary inquiry conducted in 2007 into the activities of the Armenian nationals paints a detailed picture of how the two men entered Kenya, acquired official documentation, secured senior police ranks, participated in sensitive security operations, and eventually exited the country.

The involvement of Artur Margaryan and Artur Sargsyan,  commonly referred to as the “Artur brothers,” can be traced back to November 2005, when they reportedly entered Kenya as guests of businessman Raju Sanghani.

How Artur Brothers Landed in Kenya

Upon arrival, they checked into the Presidential Suite at the Grand Regency Hotel in Nairobi, a development that signaled their access to considerable financial and political connections.

Within a short period, the two established links with influential individuals in the country’s political and security establishment. Evidence later presented before a parliamentary committee indicated that they held meetings with senior officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), as well as with high-ranking political figures, raising questions about the nature and purpose of their engagements at the time.

During their stay in Kenya, the Artur brothers enjoyed unusually extensive access to government resources. Following a purported meeting with then-President Mwai Kibaki, instructions were reportedly issued to facilitate the processing of their Kenyan passports.

Their freedom of movement extended even to highly restricted areas. The Managing Director of the Kenya Airports Authority later confirmed that the brothers were issued airport passes, granting them access to all areas, despite not having completed the required application forms.

In their daily operations, the brothers resided in a rented home in Nairobi’s Runda estate, where they hosted lavish parties. They were frequently seen using high-end vehicles, including a Toyota Lexus allegedly belonging to businesswoman Mary Wambui, often driven by officers from the Presidential Escort Unit. In several instances, they were also observed using vehicles fitted with swapped or government (GK) number plates.

Beyond accessing state resources, the Artur brothers were formally incorporated into the Kenyan security structure. Evidence presented before a Joint Parliamentary Committee established that Artur Margaryan and Artur Sargsyan were appointed to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Standard Group Raid

The committee further found that their close associates were also assigned positions within the Kenya Police Service. Ms. Shirvana was appointed to the rank of Chief Inspector of Police, while two Tanzanian nationals were enlisted as Police Corporals.

To regularize these appointments administratively, an officer from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, attached to the Scenes of Crime Unit,  was dispatched to Twiga Towers to take official passport-size photographs required for the processing and issuance of police identification certificates.

While holding these ranks, the brothers were also involved in substantial commercial activities. Between March and June 2006, companies linked to them imported seven containers through the Port of Mombasa containing electronics such as refrigerators and hi-fi systems. However, the shipments attracted scrutiny over alleged under-declaration of tax liabilities.

The parliamentary report further linked the brothers to the infamous raid on The Standard Group and its television station, Kenya Television Network (KTN). The inquiry established that security officers stormed the media house following the publication and broadcast of material considered sensitive by state security agencies at the time, including reports touching on the activities of the Artur brothers.

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On the eve of the raid, the brothers were reportedly seen displaying their newly issued police appointment certificates. On the day of the operation, they were allegedly assisted in moving cartons and equipment between various locations in Nairobi.

The incident sparked widespread public outrage. Opposition leaders, including then-Lang’ata MP Raila Odinga, held a joint press conference condemning the government’s actions. Raila alleged that some of those involved in the raid were mercenaries.

“The Russian embassy has no business making a statement because mercenaries are never recruited from governments. Mercenaries are soldiers for hire,” Raila stated.

Uhuru Kenyatta, who was then the leader of KANU, also condemned the incident, saying: “There are no words strong enough to condemn the illegal, unconstitutional, and undemocratic action taken against the fourth estate last night.”

The JKIA Incident and Deportation

The brothers’ Kenyan “reign” came to an abrupt and dramatic end in June 2006. On June 8, a major security breach occurred at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) when the brothers reportedly refused to allow their luggage to be inspected by customs and security officers at the arrivals terminal. The confrontation escalated into a physical altercation in which they allegedly assaulted a CID officer.

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Following the airport incident, the government acted swiftly. The brothers were arrested at 5:00 a.m. on June 9, 2006. A subsequent search of their Runda residence led to the recovery of unauthorized firearms. Given the seriousness of the incident, immigration authorities decided to deport them.

At 9:00 p.m. on June 9, 2006, the Artur brothers were placed on a flight to Dubai, their requested destination,  marking the end of one of the most controversial chapters in Kenya’s immigration and security history.

Their departure triggered both a Commission of Inquiry and a joint parliamentary investigation to establish how two foreign nationals managed to penetrate the highest levels of Kenya’s government and police service with such unprecedented ease.

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Photo of Artur Margaryan and Artur Sargsyan (Artur Brothers). PHOTO/Kenya West