The Kenyan government has revealed that more than 200 of its citizens are believed to be fighting for Russian forces in the war in Ukraine, amid efforts to curb recruitment networks still operating in the country.
Speaking on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi stated that many of those involved are former members of Kenya’s security services who were lured abroad under false promises.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kenyan embassy in Moscow has recorded cases of injured nationals and others reportedly stranded after being recruited and dispatched to conflict zones without full awareness of the nature of their deployment.
Mudavadi warned that the recruitment networks remain active in both Kenya and Russia, offering attractive payments—reportedly up to US $18,000—to cover supposed visas, travel and accommodation costs. Some recruits believed they were going to work abroad in civilian roles only to end up in military tasks, including drone assembly and frontline assignments without proper training or protection.
The Kenyan government’s disclosure follows a wider Ukrainian claim that over 1,400 citizens from 36 African countries are fighting with Russian forces after being enticed through deceptive means.
In September, authorities in Nairobi rescued 21 Kenyan nationals who were reportedly being prepped for deployment to the conflict. One suspect has been arrested and is facing prosecution in connection with the trafficking network.
President William Ruto has also reportedly appealed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for assistance in securing the return of Kenyan citizens believed to be detained in the war zone.
The issue raises broader security concerns for Kenya, including risks related to human trafficking, foreign recruitment, and national security. Mudavadi emphasised the need for vigilance and urged job-seekers to verify overseas employment opportunities through the National Employment Authority and avoid unauthorised intermediaries.
As diplomatic channels remain engaged, the Kenyan government said it is working to enhance cooperation with Russia and Ukraine to track, identify and repatriate citizens caught up in the conflict.
The situation underscores the growing complexity of the Russia-Ukraine war’s reach and the manner in which vulnerable individuals from Africa continue to be drawn into the conflict through mis- information and exploitation.
