Kenyan Woman Seeks Help to Reunite With Baby Stolen By Russian Lover

Kwale mother’s desperate plea for international intervention as she battles for custody of her one-year-old daughter left behind in Moscow

Faith Jerop sits in her modest home in Diani, Kwale County, staring at photos on her phone of her one-year-old daughter Maya Andevna Sinitsa.

The images are all she has left of the child who remains thousands of miles away in Russia, allegedly held by her Russian ex-partner Andrey Sinista against the mother’s will.

The 23-year-old woman’s ordeal began as what she thought would be a family reunion but has become an international custody nightmare that has drawn attention from human rights advocates and diplomatic circles.

A Journey Built on Deception

Jerop’s relationship with the 41-year-old Russian national began in 2023 when they met at a supermarket in Diani, where she worked.

What started as a whirlwind romance quickly turned complicated when she became pregnant within three months of dating.

“My partner wanted me to terminate the pregnancy, but my mother strongly opposed that idea,” Jerop recalled during an interview at her home.

“‘This is your child and your responsibility, no matter what the man does,’ she told me. Those words gave me strength.”

The Russian man, Andrey Sinista, initially left for Argentina alone when passport processing delays prevented Jerop from traveling.

He returned after Maya’s birth and stayed for six months, during which he helped obtain the child’s birth certificate and applied for passports for both mother and daughter.

However, his secretive behavior about his occupation and long stay raised suspicions among Jerop’s family members, who found his insistence on working online jobs unconvincing.

The Moscow Trap

In April 2025, when Maya turned one, her father proposed a trip to Moscow, claiming his ailing father wanted to meet their daughter and leave her an inheritance before his death.

Despite her mother’s warnings and her own misgivings, Jerop agreed to the two-month visit.

“He told me that his father was on his deathbed and wanted to give our daughter his inheritance. This made the trip feel urgent, and he insisted that if we delayed, the old man might die before meeting her,” Jerop explained.

The reality in Moscow was starkly different from what had been promised.

Instead of meeting family members, they went directly to a small apartment where Jerop was relegated to the living room while her partner occupied the bedroom.

“I thought we were going to his parents’ house, but we went to an apartment instead. He told me to sleep in the living room while he took the bedroom. That’s when I began to feel that something was very wrong,” she said.

Custody Battle Begins

The situation deteriorated rapidly when her partner left with Maya for a weekend, claiming to visit his mother.

Upon his return, he became cold and violent, ultimately returning with a lawyer who declared Jerop mentally unstable and a threat to the child’s safety.

“I couldn’t speak Russian. I felt helpless and trapped. I didn’t have access to my baby. I was afraid to tell my mother that her worst fears were coming true,” Jerop recalled, her voice breaking.

Unable to communicate effectively in Russian and with limited legal options, Jerop turned to social media for help.

Using WhatsApp and later TikTok through a VPN, she began broadcasting live daily at 7 PM, pleading for assistance from her followers.

Her social media campaign caught the attention of Kenyans living in Russia and eventually reached the Kenyan Embassy in Moscow.

The Russian Embassy in Kenya has confirmed that Jerop visited its Consular Section on June 5 and June 10, 2025, seeking legal assistance concerning her daughter.

When embassy officials contacted her partner about Jerop’s situation, he allegedly told them she had tuberculosis, prompting them to arrange for her evacuation to Kenya.

Three days later, she was placed in a safe house and eventually flown back to Kenya, leaving Maya behind with her father.

Legal and Financial Challenges

Now back in Kenya, Jerop faces the daunting task of pursuing custody through Russian courts.

She estimates the legal process could cost up to Sh2 million and has begun raising funds online for the battle ahead.

Recent reports indicate she may need up to Sh10 million to successfully navigate the complex international custody case.

“Every day, I feel like something is missing inside me. If Maya were dead, I would mourn her. But she is alive and I have no idea how she is,” Jerop said, fighting back tears.

International Law Complexities

Under Russian law, both parents have joint custody unless a domestic court decides otherwise. Russian courts have the authority to handle child custody issues for foreign nationals if certain conditions are met, such as the defendant parent having a residency permit in Russia.

The case highlights the challenges faced by Kenyan nationals in international custody disputes, particularly when children are involved.

Kenya and Russia maintain diplomatic relations, but complex legal frameworks governing child custody across borders often leave parents in vulnerable positions.

Family’s Desperate Plea

Jerop’s mother, Jennifer Ekitela, who runs a small shop in the Mvindeni area of Diani, says she regrets allowing her daughter to travel but supports her fight for custody.

“I warned her because I knew something wasn’t right. Now, all I want is to see my granddaughter again,” she said.

The family is calling on Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international human rights organizations to intervene in the case.

They argue that the circumstances under which Maya was separated from her mother constitute a form of international child abduction.

This case sheds light on the vulnerability of young Kenyan women in international relationships and the complex legal terrain of cross-border custody disputes.

It also raises questions about the support systems available to Kenyan nationals facing legal challenges abroad.

Legal experts note that cases like Jerop’s are becoming increasingly common as globalization leads to more international relationships, but the legal frameworks for resolving such disputes remain inadequate.

Current Status

Jerop continues to seek shared custody of her daughter through legal channels, while also facing what she describes as ongoing intimidation from her former partner.

“I’ve healed; I’m strong. I’m ready to fight for my daughter. She is the only thing that matters to me now,” she declared.

As the case develops, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for stronger international cooperation on child custody matters and better protection for parents caught in cross-border legal disputes.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet issued a public statement on the case, but diplomatic sources indicate that discussions with Russian authorities are ongoing.

For now, Faith Jerop waits, armed with determination and the support of a growing online community, as she fights to bring her daughter home from thousands of miles away.

If you would like to support Faith Jerop’s legal battle to reunite with her daughter, fundraising efforts are ongoing through various online platforms. Those with information about similar cases or legal expertise in international child custody are encouraged to reach out through established legal channels.