Kenya Challenges Russia Over Recruitment of Citizens for Ukraine War
Kenya has announced plans to formally engage Russia following growing evidence that Kenyan nationals have been secretly recruited to participate in the Russo-Ukranian war. Nairobi has condemned the practice as unlawful and deeply concerning, saying it exposes citizens to grave danger while operating outside any official or regulated framework.
In remarks to the BBC, Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi described the recruitment of Kenyans into foreign combat roles as “unacceptable and clandestine.” He said the issue risks damaging what have otherwise been long-standing and friendly diplomatic relations between Kenya and Russia, which date back to Kenya’s independence.
According to estimates from the Kenyan government, about 200 of its citizens are believed to have joined Russian forces. Officials caution that the true number is difficult to verify, as none of the individuals involved are known to have travelled through recognised or state-approved channels. Authorities say most cases appear linked to informal recruitment networks operating beyond government oversight.
Mudavadi said Kenya intends to focus its discussions with Moscow on shutting down these illegal pathways. Planned talks are expected to cover visa arrangements, labour migration policies, and bilateral labour agreements, with the explicit aim of excluding any form of military recruitment. The foreign minister stressed that Kenya does not permit its citizens to be enlisted into foreign armed forces.
At home, the government has intensified enforcement measures against recruitment agencies suspected of exploiting vulnerable job seekers. Mudavadi confirmed that more than 600 agencies have been shut down for allegedly misleading Kenyans with promises of employment abroad that ultimately led to involvement in the conflict. Officials say these operations targeted individuals facing economic hardship and limited employment prospects.
The foreign minister also disclosed that 27 Kenyans who had been fighting in Russia have so far been brought back to the country. Upon their return, authorities have provided psychological support to address trauma and to help “de-radicalise” those affected by exposure to combat. The government says rehabilitation and reintegration remain central to its response.
Uncertainty persists, however, over the fate of Kenyans who have not returned. The number of those who may have died while fighting remains unknown, and Russian authorities have not formally responded to reports concerning Kenyan casualties. Relatives seeking information have said they were unable to obtain answers from the Russian embassy in Nairobi.
“Families that we have spoken to say they have not been able to bury their loved ones because their bodies are still on the other end,” Mudavadi told the BBC. He explained that recovery efforts depend heavily on where remains are located. Some have reportedly been found in Ukraine, prompting Kenya to also engage with Ukrainian authorities to facilitate repatriation where possible.
Pressure on the Kenyan government has intensified following reports of additional deaths linked to the conflict. Some families have accused authorities of failing to adequately regulate or criminalise illicit recruitment networks, arguing that stronger enforcement could have prevented the loss of life. The issue has sparked wider debate about labour migration, unemployment, and the protection of citizens abroad.
Mudavadi rejected claims that the government bears responsibility, insisting that decisive action has been taken. “You cannot blame the government on this,” he said. “Where there are illegal recruitment agencies, we have scrapped them and we continue to scrap them.” He emphasised that the networks involved were operating outside the law.
The situation reflects a broader international concern. Ukrainian intelligence estimates that more than 1,400 individuals from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia. Ukraine itself has previously faced criticism for attempting to enlist foreign nationals, including Africans, to support its own military campaign.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly warned that anyone fighting alongside Russian forces will be treated as an enemy combatant. They have stated that surrender remains the only assured route to safety for foreign fighters caught in the conflict.
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