Kenya says Russia has agreed to stop recruiting its citizens to fight in the war in Ukraine, following talks in Moscow between Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. Mudavadi said both sides had reached an understanding that Kenyans would no longer be enlisted through Russia’s defence ministry, effectively ending their eligibility to join the war effort.
The issue has drawn growing concern in Kenya, where reports suggest many citizens were misled with promises of well-paid civilian jobs abroad, only to end up on the front lines in Ukraine. A Kenyan intelligence report estimated that more than 1,000 nationals had been recruited, while authorities have shut down hundreds of agencies suspected of facilitating the scheme. Lawmakers have also alleged that some rogue officials may have collaborated with trafficking networks.
Moscow has maintained that foreign fighters joined voluntarily and in line with its laws, without directly confirming the new agreement. Meanwhile, Kenya is pushing for the return of its citizens, with dozens already repatriated and receiving psychological support after their experiences in the conflict.
The situation reflects a broader pattern across Africa, where individuals from multiple countries have reportedly been drawn into the war. Ukrainian estimates suggest over 1,700 recruits from 36 African nations have joined Russia’s side, while there have also been criticisms of recruitment efforts linked to Ukraine. For Kenya, however, the immediate priority remains preventing further enlistment and bringing its citizens home, as public pressure mounts from families demanding answers about relatives believed to be fighting—or killed—in the conflict.
