Nairobi – Kenya is preparing to engage directly with Moscow over the growing evidence that its citizens are being recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine, a practice the Kenyan government has condemned as “unacceptable” and “clandestine.” Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi announced plans to travel to Russia next month to address the issue, following mounting reports of Kenyans lured by promises of lucrative employment only to find themselves on the front lines.
“We have seen loss of lives, and I am planning to make a visit to Moscow so that we can emphasize that What we have is something that needs to be arrested,” Mudavadi said in a statement . While he did not specify a date for the visit, the move signals a significant escalation in Kenya’s response to the unfolding situation.
Nairobi estimates that approximately 200 of its nationals have been recruited to fight for Russia, with officials acknowledging the true number is likely higher. Critically, the government states that none of these individuals travelled through official channels, suggesting a network of illicit recruiters is operating with relative impunity.
The recruitment drive is not unique to Kenya. Ukrainian intelligence estimates that Russia has recruited over 1,400 fighters from 36 African countries, initially targeting former Soviet republics in Central Asia, then expanding to India, Nepal, and now, increasingly, African nations. Ukraine’s Ambassador to Kenya, Yurii Tokar, described the recruitment as a desperate search for “cannon fodder everywhere This proves possible,” according to reports from the Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Mudavadi outlined a multi-pronged approach to address the crisis. He stated that Kenyan authorities have already shut down over 600 recruitment agencies suspected of deceiving Kenyans with false promises of jobs abroad. More than 30 Kenyans have been repatriated over the past two months, and are receiving psychological care to address trauma and undergo “de-radicalization” programs, according to the Foreign Minister.
Beyond repatriation and domestic crackdowns, Mudavadi intends to pursue the release of Kenyans currently held as prisoners of war in Ukraine and to verify the condition of those hospitalized. He also plans to engage in discussions with Russian officials regarding visa policies and bilateral labor agreements, specifically seeking to include provisions that explicitly ban the military conscription of Kenyan citizens.
The case has sparked a political fallout within Kenya, with concerns growing over the vulnerability of its citizens to exploitation. A police raid in uncovered 21 young men preparing to travel to Russia, leading to the prosecution of a recruitment agency employee on charges of human trafficking. A Russian citizen, Mikhail Lyapin, implicated in the same case, was reportedly expelled from Kenya at Moscow’s request.
The stories emerging from the conflict are deeply troubling. An AFP investigation revealed how four Kenyans with no prior military experience were deceived into signing contracts – written in Russian – with the Russian army and swiftly deployed to the front lines in Ukraine. One individual believed he was signing up for a sales position, two others for security work, and a fourth anticipated a role as an athlete. The investigation highlighted the systematic nature of the deception and the vulnerability of those targeted.
While the exact number of Kenyan casualties remains unclear, the reports of deaths and injuries are deeply concerning to the Kenyan government. Relatives seeking information from the Russian embassy in Nairobi have reportedly been turned away, further fueling anxieties and frustration. Russia has not formally addressed the reports of Kenyan citizens fighting in Ukraine.
The situation underscores the broader geopolitical implications of the conflict in Ukraine, and the increasing reliance by Russia on foreign fighters to bolster its forces. Kenya’s long-standing relationship with Russia, dating back to its independence, is now being tested by this deeply troubling development. Mudavadi acknowledged the situation as an “unfortunate episode” in what has otherwise been a “very positive and cordial” relationship between the two countries.
The Kenyan government’s response reflects a growing awareness of the risks posed by unscrupulous recruitment practices and a determination to protect its citizens from being exploited in foreign conflicts. Mudavadi’s planned visit to Moscow represents a critical opportunity to address these concerns directly with Russian authorities and to seek assurances that the recruitment of Kenyan fighters will cease immediately.
