Editorial
- Russian brothers Artur and Vadim Mildov are accused of money laundering and drug trafficking.
- Deported in 2020, they are now working to erase negative stories about them.
- Allegations include connections to murder, illegal businesses, and immigration law violations.
- Their company, De Lart Capital Holding, is facing challenges due to bad publicity.
- Efforts to clear their records involve bribes and a public relations campaign.
Russian brothers Artur and Vadim Mildov, deported from Kenya in 2020, are making covert attempts to return. Despite serious accusations of money laundering, drug trafficking, and links to murder, they are leveraging their wealth to erase negative stories and repair their tarnished image.
Deportation and Legal Issues
In January 2020, then-Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i ordered their deportation, citing national interests. Although reasons were unspecified, the brothers had long been under scrutiny for illegal activities, including alleged involvement in drug trafficking and the 1999 murder of Victor Gotcharenko, a fellow Russian.
Despite these allegations, the brothers maintain they were deported without cause and are now fighting their deportation in Kenyan courts.
Media Manipulation and PR Campaign
The Mildov brothers are accused of using proxies and a top PR firm to clean their digital footprint. Sources reveal they’ve paid editors up to Ksh 1 million to delete or hide incriminating stories from mainstream media. One editor lost their job after removing an article from Google’s index while keeping it on the website.
This image-cleaning effort aims to salvage a multibillion-dollar business deal involving their Dubai-based company, De Lart Capital Holding.
Past Crimes and Connections
The brothers first arrived in Kenya in the mid-1990s and set up several companies, including Vim Invest Ltd and Midland Logistics. They were linked to a drug trafficking ring operating from Muthaiga and implicated in Gotcharenko’s murder.
After their deportation in 1999, Artur returned to Kenya by 2008 and was joined by Vadim. Together, they ran businesses, including the Pavement Club, which was later shut down due to debts.
Current Status
Now based in Dubai, the brothers are fighting to overturn their deportation while keeping Kenyan businesses running through proxies. They argue their expulsion was illegal, despite evidence of immigration law violations and fraudulent permits.
Artur and Vadim Mildov’s ongoing attempts to clear their name and return to Kenya highlight a troubling intersection of wealth, power, and justice. While their past is marred by serious allegations, their ability to manipulate media and influence officials raises concerns about accountability.
