Kenya to Address Russia Over Recruitment of Nationals for Combat

Wed Feb 11 2026 01:13:33 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Kenya's Foreign Minister announces plans to confront Russia regarding the recruitment of Kenyan citizens for fighting in the Ukraine conflict, calling the practice unacceptable.

Kenya is set to engage with Russia following reports of its citizens being recruited to fight in Ukraine, a practice deemed 'unacceptable' by Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi. With estimates of around 200 Kenyans involved, the government has closed several illegal recruitment agencies and is pushing for stringent measures against such practices. Discussions with Russia will focus on halting conscription and reinforcing labor agreements that exclude military assignments.

Kenya to Address Russia Over Recruitment of Nationals for Combat

Kenya's government is preparing to engage with Russian officials regarding the clandestine recruitment of its nationals to fight in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi labeled the practice as 'unacceptable' and confirmed that Kenya has taken steps to shut down illegal recruitment channels and intends to push for a formal agreement with Russia to ban the conscription of Kenyan soldiers.

There are concerns that nearly 200 Kenyan nationals may have been lured into combat roles; however, the government asserts that these individuals did not depart through official avenues. Mudavadi highlighted the long-standing relations between Kenya and Russia, noting that this situation tarnishes an otherwise cordial interaction.

The Kenyan authorities have reportedly dismantled over 600 recruitment agencies engaged in misleading Kenyans with false job offers abroad. Additionally, 27 individuals previously fighting for Russia have been repatriated to Kenya, where they are receiving psychological support to address their experiences and help 'de-radicalize' them.

While the exact number of Kenyans who may have died in the conflict remains unclear, Mudavadi has stated that families seeking answers about their loved ones have often been met with a lack of response from the Russian embassy.

The pressure has increased on the Kenyan government to act decisively, particularly after the discovery of more deceased citizens who had engaged in fighting for the Russian forces. Some families have expressed anger towards the government for its failure to adequately regulate recruitment agencies that operate outside the law.

Ukrainian intelligence has suggested that over 1,400 individuals from various African nations have been recruited to fight for Russia. Notably, Ukrainian officials have warned that those fighting for Russia will be treated as enemy combatants, emphasizing that the only safe option for such individuals is to surrender.

Mudavadi insists that the Kenyan government should not bear the blame for the actions of illegal recruiters, stating that they are actively working to eliminate this criminal behavior within their jurisdiction.