Ofure Akhigbe
Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, has said the government is taking steps to curb the recruitment of its citizens into the Russia-Ukraine war, following reports that more than 200 Kenyans — including former soldiers — have joined Russian forces in the conflict.
Mudavadi on Wednesday warned that recruitment agencies are actively deceiving Kenyans with promises of lucrative pay and benefits to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, urging citizens to remain vigilant against such schemes.
According to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Kenya’s embassy in Moscow has documented several injuries among Kenyan recruits. Many were allegedly promised up to $18,000 to cover travel, visa, and accommodation costs before being deployed to the frontlines.
Ukraine last week disclosed that more than 1,400 people from over 30 African nations are currently fighting alongside Russian troops in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
President William Ruto has reportedly spoken by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to request the release of Kenyans detained in conflict zones.
Earlier this month, South Africa said it was negotiating the repatriation of 17 of its citizens stranded in Ukraine’s Donbas region after being lured into the war under similar false pretences.
Kenya’s government has reiterated its commitment to protecting citizens from illegal recruitment and warned that participation in the Russia-Ukraine war violates international law and exposes individuals to severe personal and legal risks.