Kenya has announced plans to engage Russia over what it describes as the secret and illegal recruitment of its citizens to fight in the war in Ukraine, a move that Nairobi warns could strain long-standing diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Speaking to the BBC, Kenya’s Foreign Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, described the practice as “unacceptable and clandestine” and confirmed that the government is seeking firm assurances from Moscow to halt such recruitment.
Kenyan authorities estimate that roughly 200 of its nationals have been recruited by Russian forces, though the exact number remains unclear as none of the recruits travelled through official government channels.
“This becomes a very unfortunate episode in what have otherwise been very positive and cordial relations between our two countries,” Mudavadi said.
The Kenyan government said its engagement with Russia will focus on shutting down illegal recruitment networks and strengthening cooperation on visas and labour agreements, explicitly excluding any form of military conscription.
Authorities in Kenya have already shut more than 600 recruitment agencies suspected of deceiving young Kenyans with promises of overseas employment, some of whom ended up fighting in Ukraine. To date, 27 Kenyans recruited to fight for Russia have been repatriated. The government is providing psychological support to help them recover from trauma and “de-radicalise” them.
The human cost of the recruitment drive is increasingly apparent. It remains unclear how many Kenyans have died in the conflict, and Russia has not responded to inquiries regarding casualties. Families seeking information from the Russian embassy in Nairobi have reported being turned away, leaving some unable to bury their loved ones.
“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 said. “Some have been found in Ukraine, and we are also working with the government of Ukraine to try and get the remains repatriated.”
Public pressure on Kenya’s government has grown amid reports of bodies being discovered, with some families accusing authorities of failing to regulate illegal recruiters early enough. Mudavadi rejected these criticisms, insisting that decisive actions, including the closure of illicit agencies, have been taken.
The issue extends beyond Kenya. Ukrainian intelligence estimates that over 1,400 individuals from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia. Ukraine has also faced past criticism for attempting to recruit foreign nationals to fight on its side. Ukrainian officials have warned that anyone fighting for Russia will be treated as an enemy combatant and said the only safe option is surrender and detention as a prisoner of war.
