Kenyans who were illegally enlisted to fight for Russia in the war in Ukraine will be granted amnesty upon their return, the East African nation’s foreign minister, Musalia Mudavadi, announced.
The move follows Mudavadi’s recent visit to Moscow, where he secured agreements to prevent further recruitment of Kenyan citizens and negotiated the safe return of those already on the front line. Under Kenyan law, it is illegal for citizens to serve in foreign armies without presidential permission, carrying penalties of up to 10 years in prison.
According to the foreign ministry, approximately 252 Kenyans were conscripted over the past six months, some lured with promises of high-paying civilian jobs but forced to fight in Ukraine. So far, 44 have been safely repatriated, 11 are reported missing or killed in action, 38 are hospitalized in Russia under restricted access, leaving 160 still active in the conflict.
Mudavadi’s visit also secured the disengagement of unwilling Kenyan fighters and their safe return home. Russia has agreed to place Kenya on a “stop list” to halt future recruitment, while both nations will collaborate to combat human trafficking, smuggling, and illegal recruitment linked to the war effort.
This comes amid growing public pressure from families of those recruited. Last month, Kenyan authorities closed over 600 recruitment agencies suspected of deceiving citizens with false overseas job offers.
African participation in the conflict has drawn wider concern. Ukrainian intelligence estimates that more than 1,700 people from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia. South Africa recently repatriated 17 citizens who reported being trapped in Ukraine’s Donbas region after being lured into the conflict.
Kenya’s foreign ministry emphasized that citizens may serve in foreign armies only if they hold dual citizenship or have written permission from the president. Otherwise, such enlistment is punishable under section 68 of Kenya’s Penal Code unless a court determines the service was voluntary.
